Listen Now

In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons explores communication and expression in the workplace, and how the ability to share thoughts and feelings effectively plays a pivotal role in creating cultures of belonging. Join Daralyse as she learns communication dos and don'ts from this episode's guests, who share their insights about how to use communication and emotional intelligence to develop safe and inclusive workplace cultures. In this episode, you will learn about: * How psychological safety is paramount to creating inclusion and belonging, and also in getting the best out of employees. * Why it is important for colleagues and supervisors to try to communicate effectively, and to adopt a mindset of learning from mistakes, as opposed to avoiding them. * How listening is the most important skill in creating a safe workplace culture for all employees. * The value of feedback, and the importance of taking it seriously as part of creating healthy workplace cultures. * The damaging impact of retaliation on employee morale, and on retention and innovation. * How acknowledging a colleague's humanity can bridge gaps in understanding, and/or ideals. Our guest experts this episode include: Tom Edwards - Tom is an Associate Professor of Instruction in Engineering Management and Director of the Department of Engineering, Technology and Management at Temple University. And he's an organizational expert who utilizes research, practical application and teaching to drive innovation in the pursuit of organizational missions. Tanner Gers - Tanner is the President and Founder of AccessAbility Officer, a data-driven disability inclusion firm who helps companies “Drive Ability D&I and Maximize ROI”. Tanner also serves as a board member for Menus4All, and recently co-authored Foresight Augmented Reality's solution proposal for the US Department of Transportation's Inclusive Design Challenge. Tanner is a US Paralympian, World Championship team member as well. Marta Rusek - Marta is a digital storyteller with a passion for helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories. She works full-time as a social media strategist for a nonpartisan, pro-democracy, legal nonprofit in Washington, DC and she maintains a freelance client roster as a storyteller-for-hire who uses vulnerability and versatility to amplify important narratives. Will Bubenik - Will is the Founder and CEO of Nebula Media Group, whose mission it is to ensure that websites are accessible so that people with disabilities can access them. From audits and fixes to training and coaching, Nebula Media Group provides customized accessibility solutions so companies can attain, maintain, and sustain a true accessibility and compliance program at their organizations. Tomar Pierson-Brown - Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusive Excellence is a Clinical Associate Professor of Law at University of Pittsburgh's School of Law and Director of the Health Law College, which operates as a medical legal partnership with UPMC, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Jeff Mayner - Jeff is a financial services professional and full-time entrepreneur who prior to his transition to entrepreneurship, worked in IT and telecommunications, and prior to that, he served eight and a half years in the United States Navy. Caroline Heffernan - Caroline is an Assistant Professor in the School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University whose areas of interest center around the application of allyship in sport and gender in sport leadership. LaTonya Wilkins -LaTonya is the founder of the Change Coaches, LLC, an organization dedicated to creating revolutionary leadership development, culture change, and extraordinary personal growth. She's also the author of Leading Below the Surface, How to Build Real and Psychologically Safe Relationships with People Who Are Different From You. Crystal Harold - Crystal is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management and a Paul Anderson Research Fellow at Temple University's School of Business. Prior to pursuing her current career path, Crystal worked as a strategic human resources consultant for numerous governmental agencies, including the Air Force, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and the Department of the Interior. Tre'vell Anderson - Tre'vell is an award-winning journalist, social curator, and world changer who has dedicated their career to centering the stories of those in the margins, grace spaces, and the intersections of life. Named to the Roots 2020 list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans. Lily Zheng - Lily is a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist and consultant and the author of three published books, the most recent of which is DEI Deconstructed: Your No Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right. Lily works with organizations around the world to create the equitable, inclusive and just organizations of the future. Jacqui Lipton - a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, an attorney, a literary agent at the Tobias Literary Agency, and the author of numerous academic texts. Jacqui also wrote Law and Authors, A Legal Handbook for Writers, which is a must-read book for authors looking to know their rights, increase their self-advocacy skills, and understand the intricacies of the publishing industry. Debra Tannen - Debra is a professor at Georgetown University and a widely acclaimed, extensively published bestselling author, best known for her book, You Just Don't Understand, Women and Men in Conversation, which was on the New York Times Bestseller list for nearly five years. Shanna Hocking - Shanna is a thought leader, keynote speaker, and writer with 20 years experience working in leadership development. She's the author of One Bold Move a Day and the host of The One Bold Move a Day Podcast. Timothy Welbeck - Timothy is the Director for the Center of Anti-Racism Research, and an Assistant Professor of Instruction at Temple University, a civil rights attorney, a scholar of law, race, and culture, a writer and a hip-hop artist. Silvia Masiero - Silvia is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at the University of Oslo, and the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed works in the domain of Information and Communication Technology for Development, also known as ICT4D. She co-edited the open-access work Covid-19 From the Margins of the Pandemic: Invisibility in Policies and Resistance in the Datafied Society. Kelli Clark - Kelli is the Chief Culture Officer at Aon United. She directs the firm's strategies for inclusive people, leadership and culture initiatives, and she played a pivotal role in scaling Aon's signature cultural workshop Leading Aon United to reach more than 8,000 colleagues virtually while maintaining more than 98% positive feedback scores. Anel Duarte - Anel specializes in facilitating one-on-one and group practices under the trauma sensitive and trauma informed lenses. A trauma survivor herself. Anel holds safe space for participants to explore their internal experiences through yoga, body movement, meditation, the use of rituals and breathing techniques. Rachel Lyons - Rachel is the executive director at Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization which aims to make space flight available as a way to expand human perspectives. She's the former vice-chair of the board of Directors of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space USA, and is also host Daralyse Lyons' cousin. Elizabeth ‘Liz' Taylor - Liz is an assistant professor in the sport and recreation management department at Temple University's School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management. Her work examines gender discrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment and assault within the athletic industry. Amanda Arias - Amanda is the Director of People and Culture at Jubilee Media. Prior to her current position, she accumulated more than 10 years of experience helping growth-centric startups build high performing teams, and her professional motto is, treat people like people. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, Daralyse Lyons is joined by co-collaborators Zack James and Azaria Keys as they reflect on their takeaways from last week's episode, Coming Out at Work: Stepping Out of the Corporate Closet. Daralyse then sits down with Kelli Clark, VP of Culture, Employee Experience and Employee Communications at Emerson to dive deeper into the issues of being fully “out” in the workplace. Kelli lends her professional expertise and personal experiences to offer relevant, uplifting and useful answers to listeners' questions. In this episode, you will learn about: * The struggles that come from having to hide a major part of one's identity in the workplace, and how that type of forced concealment impacts employees' overall performance. * The need for people to do “the work” of standing up and being leaders in supporting their LGBTQ+ colleagues and community members. * How, like many other identifiers, LGBTQ+ identities can be fluid, based on experience and self-discovery over time. * How simple acts of affirming another's identity can go a long way in creating safety. * The importance of allies in creating the needed safety for LGBTQ+-identifying colleagues to show up fully as themselves. * The importance of creating and allowing mental health space in the workplace, not just for LGBTQ+-identifying folx, but for all employees. * The value of connecting with people of different identities, and how their shared experiences can foster self-discovery and belonging. Our guest experts this episode include: Kelli Clark - Kelli is the VP of Culture, Employee Experience and Employee Communications at Emerson. Previously, Kelli was Chief Culture Officer at Aon United and directs the firm strategies for inclusive people, leadership and culture initiatives. She played a pivotal role in scaling Aons signature cultural workshop, Leading Aon United, to reach more than 8,000 colleagues virtually while maintaining more than 98% positive feedback. Episode hosts:Azaria Keys - Azaria is the Assistant Director of the Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC). Her work is driven by her passion to advocate for others and transform workplaces to be more inclusive and equitable. Zack James - Zack is the marketing arm of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast and is a graduate of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Zack is a self-described go-giver and DEI advocate with a passion for service and making a difference across organizations. Daralyse Lyons - Daralyse is the host of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast as well as the author of Demystifying Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. She is a speaker, a consultant, a journalist, and a full-time DEI strategist. To connect with Kelli, visit her LinkedIn page.Resources from the episode:Demystifying Diversity Season 2 Episode: LGBTQ+ Persecution and Exclusion from Family and Faith Demystifying Diversity Season 2 Episode: LGBTQ+ Spiritual and Secular Inclusion and Inspiration Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons takes a look at LGBTQ+ identity and belonging and the experiences of LGBTQ+ folx within the American workplace. Guests share their triumphs and setbacks working and existing in environments where the degree to which they felt they could be themselves varied greatly. In this episode, you will learn about: * The struggles of having to hide a major part of one's identity in the workplace, and how that impacts overall performance. * The need for people to do “the work,” of standing up and being leaders in supporting the LGBTQ+ community to enact real change. * The lasting effects of not fully being able to express one's self in the workplace. * The reality of hate - how it becomes more difficult to hate someone to their face, and how being open about identity can make a tremendous difference in our workplace experiences. * How identity is fluid, and how the fluidity of any type of identifier changes based on experience, self-discovery, and time. * How simple acts of affirming another's identity can go a long way in creating safety. * The value of connecting with people of different identities, and how their shared experiences can foster self-discovery and belonging. Our guest experts this episode include: Leora Eisenstadt - Leora is an Associate Professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, a Murray Shusterman Research Fellow, and the Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture - CEDWC. Leora is also an assistant producer and consultant for the Demystifying Diversity Podcast. Armando X. Estrada - Armando, who everyone calls AXE, an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies at Temple University. Prior to his current position, AXE served as a Program Manager and Senior Research Psychologist, with the Foundational Science Research Unit of the United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Before that, he served in the US Marine Corp from 1987 to 1995 and he continues to be actively involved in the Society for Military Psychology. A.C. Fowlkes - A black transgender psychologist and father, AC is the Executive Officer of Fowlkes Consulting, an LGBTQ+ sensitivity and transgender inclusion consulting firm. Skye Kowaleski - Skye is a writer, director, facilitator, speaker consultant, and therapeutic breathwork practitioner whose multidisciplinary approach supports people in showing up to the world as all of who they are. Liz Brown - Liz is an Associate Professor Law and Taxation at Bentley University, who earned her BA from Harvard College and her JD from Harvard Law School, represented fortune 100 companies for 13 years prior to joining Bentley's faculty. Michael Schirmer - Michael is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Marketing and Supply Chain Management Department at Temple University's Fox School of Business and Faculty Advisor to the Fox Online Student Association with over 30 years of business and industry experience spanning a wide range of industries and operating environments. Tre'vell Anderson - Tre'vell is an award-winning journalist and social curator who has dedicated their career to centering the stories of those in the margins, gray spaces and the intersections of life. Named to the Roots 2020 list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans, Tre'vell has made a name for themselves by being unapologetically themselves and paving the way for others to do the same. Caroline Heffernan - Caroline is an Assistant Professor in the School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University, whose areas of interest center around the application of allyship in sport and gender and sport leadership. LaTonya Wilkins - LaTonya is the founder of The Change Coaches, LLC, an organization dedicated to creating revolutionary leadership development, culture change, and extraordinary personal growth. She's also the author of Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real and Psychologically Safe Relationships with People Who are Different From You. Kelli Clark - Kelli is Chief Culture Officer at Aon United and directs the firm strategies for inclusive people, leadership and culture initiatives. She played a pivotal role in scaling Aons signature cultural workshop, Leading Aon United, to reach more than 8,000 colleagues virtually while maintaining more than 98% positive feedback. James Barnes - James is a corporate trainer, coach and public speaker whose own transition has equipped him to teach companies, schools, hospitals, and other organizations to create safe, uplifting, and empowering environments for LGBTQ+ individuals with a special emphasis on serving transgender adults and youth. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In the third Q&A episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons is joined by co-hosts Zack James and Azaria Keys as they further examine the roles of power dynamics and sexual harassment in the workplace. This episode features an interview between Daralyse and Leora Eisenstadt, Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture at Temple University's Fox School of Business. Together, Leora and Daralyse answer listener questions and dive deep into the legalese around workplace harassment. In this episode, you will learn: * What you should know about the legal process involved in coming out against an abuser in the workplace. * “The Five D's,” and how they are essential to providing direct support to anyone suffering workplace abuse. * The importance of recognizing intent as it relates to unwanted interactions in the workplace. * How workplace abuse, sexual and otherwise, plays a role in suppressing under-privileged groups. * Tangible techniques for how to be an effective ally when witnessing workplace abuse. Our guest expert this episode is:Leora Eisenstadt - Leora is an Associate Professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, a Murray Shusterman Research Fellow, and the Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture - CEDWC. Leora is also an assistant producer and consultant for the Demystifying Diversity Podcast.To connect with Leora and her work, visit www.fox.temple.edu/cedwc. Episode hosts:Azaria Keys - Azaria is the Assistant Director of the Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC). Her work is driven by her passion to advocate for others and transform workplaces to be more inclusive and equitable. Zack James - Zack is the marketing arm of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast and is a graduate of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Zack is a self-described go-giver and DEI advocate with a passion for service and making a difference across organizations. Daralyse Lyons - Daralyse is the host of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast as well as the author of Demystifying Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. She is a speaker, a consultant, a journalist, and a full-time DEI strategist.Additional resources to explore:Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (eeoc.gov) National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN.org) National Sexual Violence Resource Center (nsvrc.org)Our Wave (ourwave.org) Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons examines the ways in which the #MeToo Movement both made sexual harassment visible and failed to expose the extent to which harassment is supported by abusive systems. As Daralyse and those interviewed discuss the simultaneous importance and inadequacy of the #MeToo Movement, they reveal the cultural norms that promote unhealthy power dynamics, at work and elsewhere, and invite listeners to move beyond “bad apple” thinking and to create environments wherein bystanders become upstanders! In this episode, you will learn about: * How the #MeToo Movement has shifted the landscape of abuse in the workplace. * That abuse is systemic, and that ending it is a much larger and more daunting task than removing “bad apples.” * The importance of survivors sharing their stories (if they choose) as a means of empowering themselves and supporting others. * How workplace abuse, while more likely to be perpetrated by men against women, persists in many forms and impacts individuals of all genders. * How sexual abuse is, at its core, an issue of inequitable and unhealthy power dynamics. * What to look for when abuse is suspected, and ways in which to provide support, or seek help, in the face of workplace harassment. * How to intervene to prevent harassment from escalating and to empower victims of workplace abuse. Our guest experts this episode include: Leora Eisenstadt - Leora is an Associate Professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, a Murray Shusterman Research Fellow, and the Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture - CEDWC. Leora is also an assistant producer and consultant for the Demystifying Diversity Podcast. Armando X. Estrada - Armando, who everyone calls AXE, an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies at Temple University. Prior to his current position, AXE served as a Program Manager and Senior Research Psychologist, with the Foundational Science Research Unit of the United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Before that, he served in the US Marine Corp from 1987 to 1995 and he continues to be actively involved in the Society for Military Psychology. Stephanie Vogt - Stephanie is a Sexual Assault and Post Traumatic Stress Support Counselor, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, survivor, writer and advocate for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. Liz Taylor - Liz is an Assistant Professor in the Sport and Recreation Management Department at Temple University's School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management, whose work examines gender descrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment and assault within the athletic industry, has done a lot of work examining cultures of abuse as well as how workplace expectations of employee engagement can lead to burnout. Ana Velasquez - Ana is a Public Relations and Online Harassment Coordinator for Right to Be, is a journalist and communications specialist who is passionate about increasing public awareness about social issues and creating healthier digital ecosystems. Prior to coming to work for Right to Be, Ana worked as a tech journalist in Columbia. Silvia Masiero - Silvia is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the University of Oslo and the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed works in the domain of Information and Communication Technology for Development, affectionately known as ICT4D. Steph Gantman Kaplan - Steph is a labor and employment attorney and partner at Blank Rome. Steph was listed in the 2020 Philadelphia Business Journal as Best of the Bar: Employment Litigation. Her professional expertise extends to all areas of labor and employment law, including helping organizations to be intentional about implementing policies that seek to increase employee satisfaction while being governed by laws and best practices. Chair Charlotte Burrows - Designated by President Biden as Chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - EEOC - on January 20, 2021, Chari Burrows has served as a Commissioner of the EEOC for multiple terms and who previously served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the United States Department of Justice, as well as General Counsel for Civil and Constitutional Rights to Senator Edward M Kennedy. Crystal Harold - Crystal is an Associate Professor in Human Resource Management and a Paul Anderson Research Fellow at Temple University's School of Business, has specifically studied abusive female supervision. Prior to pursuing her current career path, Crystal worked as a Strategic Human Resources Consultant for numerous governmental agencies, including the Air Force, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Department of the Interior. Along with fellow researchers, she conducted a study in which they examined the conditions and impacts of abusive female supervision. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Q&A episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons is joined by co-hosts Zack James and Azaria Keys as they take a closer look at diversity as it relates to individuals with visible and invisible disabilities, in the workplace. This episode features an interview between Daralyse and Tanner Gers, President and Founder of AccessAbility Officer, a firm that educates and trains companies so they can become more inclusive of workers with disabilities. Tanner answers listeners' questions and shares insights about the continually evolving landscape of workplace inclusion. In this episode, you will learn about: * The inherent ableist biases of our society, and some of the non-obvious struggles that persons with disabilities and neuro-diversities face. * The importance of a company's ownership over the process of educating leadership and employees in creating an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging and employee success. * The fragility of belonging, and how disabilities and neuro-diversities play a role in the intersectionality of identity. * The importance of coming to an employer with solutions when seeking change in the workplace. * The value of disability-readiness, at work and elsewhere. * Ways to find resources for workers, including in instances where those resources may not be readily, or obviously, available. Our guest expert this episode is:Tanner Gers - Tanner is the President and Founder of AccessAbility Officer, a data-driven disability inclusion firm who helps companies “Drive Ability D&I and Maximize ROI”. Tanner also serves as a board member for Menus4All, and recently co-authored Foresight Augmented Reality's solution proposal for the US Department of Transportation's Inclusive Design Challenge. Tanner is a US Paralympian, World Championship team member as well. Episode hosts:Azaria Keys - Azaria is the Assistant Director of the Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC). Her work is driven by her passion to advocate for others and transform workplaces to be more inclusive and equitable. Zack James - Zack is the marketing arm of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast and is a graduate of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Zack is a self-described go-giver and DEI advocate with a passion for service and making a difference across organizations. Daralyse Lyons - Daralyse is the host of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast as well as the author of Demystifying Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. She is a speaker, a consultant, a journalist, and a full-time DEI strategist. Resources this episode:Access Ability Officer Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons explores visible and invisible disabilities, and the ways in which individuals with disabilities contribute to society. By shining a light on a wide range of physical, mental, emotional, and sensory disabilities, this episode highlights the importance of creating workplaces that are accessible and disability-ready. In this episode, you will learn about: * Neurodiversity and other often invisible disabilities. * The ways in which non-typical ways of thinking can, and often does, lead to innovation. * The prevalence of disabilities within society, and within the workplace. * The discrimination and rejection that people with invisible and visible disabilities face at work, and elsewhere. * How representation is key to supporting those whose bodies and brains function in ways that are not considered “typical. * The not-so-obvious advantages and disadvantages that people can experience when their disabilities are not readily visible to others. * How working with people with disabilities creates opportunities for understanding and allyship. Our guest experts this episode include: Bev Weinberg - Bev is the Founder and Executive Director of Integrate for Good is an Occupational Therapist with a passion for enhancing community engagement with a special focus on partnering with individuals with developmental disabilities. Tom Edwards - Tom is an Associate Professor of Instruction in Engineering Management and Director of the Department of Engineering, Technology and Management at Temple University. And he's an organizational expert who utilizes research, practical application and teaching to drive innovation in the pursuit of organizational missions. Slobodon Vucetic - Director of the Center for Hybrid Intelligence and a professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Temple University. Slobodon is spearheading a multidisciplinary team at Temple. And his team at Temple was awarded $2.3 million from the National Science Foundation to develop software that will provide job assistance for those with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Uma Srivastava - Uma is the COO of KultureCity, an organization that is dedicated to making the nevers possible by creating sensory accessibility and inclusion for those with invisible disabilities. Uma is passionate about eradicating stigma and expanding opportunities for inclusion through awareness and intervention. She is also co-chair for the 2022 World Games Disability Inclusion and Access Committee and co-chair for the backpacks project at Rotary Nashville. Elizabeth Smith - Elizabeth is a graduate of Rollins College who double-majored in Music and Communications and is currently participating in the Accelerate Graduate Studies Program to obtain a Master of Public Health degree by 2024. She is a disability advocate and researcher who spoke about her experiences with remote work, and what her research showed about how remote work has enabled many individuals with disabilities to attend to their needs while optimizing their contributions and feeling connected in situations where they might have previously been excluded, either due to inaccessibility, or to identity-based discrimination. Alida Miranda Wolf - Alida is the author of Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations that Last and CEO and Founder of Ethos, a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging firm dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented and underserved groups. Tanner Gers - Tanner is the President and Founder of AccessAbility Officer, a data-driven disability inclusion firm who helps companies “Drive Ability D&I and Maximize ROI”. Tanner also serves as a board member for Menus4All, and recently co-authored Foresight Augmented Reality's solution proposal for the US Department of Transportation's Inclusive Design Challenge. Tanner is a US Paralympian, World Championship team member as well. Steve Bollar - Steve, aka Stand Tall Steve, is an educational thought-leader author and motivational speaker, the author of the book Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, and creator of the podcast The Stand Tall Leadership Show. Marta Rusek - Marta is a digital storyteller with a passion for helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories. She works full-time as a social media strategist for a nonpartisan, pro-democracy, legal nonprofit in Washington, DC and she maintains a freelance client roster as a storyteller-for-hire who uses vulnerability and versatility to amplify important narratives. Sabrina Volpone - Sabrina is an Associate Professor in the Organizational Leadership Division at the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, and a diversity researcher. She uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how organizations manage their diverse workforces and how diverse individuals flourish through the management of their identities at work. Sabrina spoke about there being a variety of experiences for those working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Will Bubenik - Will is the Founder and CEO of Nebula Media Group, whose mission it is to ensure that websites are accessible so that people with disabilities can access them. From audits and fixes to training and coaching, Nebula Media Group provides customized accessibility solutions so companies can attain, maintain, and sustain a true accessibility and compliance program at their organizations. Cameron Footman - Cameron is the first voice of Indigipedia.ca, a lifelong entrepreneur and technology advocate and the founder of Woodcrest Construction – a contracting company which specializes in welding & steel fabrication with a focus on heated furniture & art metalworks. Sharrona Pearl - Sharrona is an Associate Professor of Bioethics and History at Drexel University is a historian theorist of the face and body, who has authored numerous books, scholarly essays, and freelance articles. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this first Q&A episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons is joined by co-hosts Zack James and Azaria Keys as they dive deeper into the impact of remote work - not only on society as a whole, but on their own lives as well. The expert voice featured in this Q&A episode is Liz Taylor, an Assistant Professor within Temple University's Fox School of Business. Liz answers listener questions and shares further insights on research surrounding the continually evolving landscape of work. In this episode, you will learn about: * How remote work has created more space for adults to be present with their children and their household obligations, while still fulfilling their roles at work. * How remote work has blurred the boundaries between work and home, and how some people have thrived in this environment, while others have not. * How intersectionality plays a major role in how remote work has impacted, and continues to impact, people in these types of jobs. * The disparity in work-from-home experiences between caregivers and those who are not in caregiving roles. * How to advocate for a style of employment that supports individual and organizational needs. * How to effectively set boundaries for oneself while working from home. Our guest expert this episode is:Liz Taylor - Liz is an Assistant Professor in the Sport and Recreation Management Department at Temple University's School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management, whose work examines gender descrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment and assault within the athletic industry, has done a lot of work examining cultures of abuse as well as how workplace expectations of employee engagement can lead to burnout. Episode hosts:Azaria Keys - Azaria is the Assistant Director of the Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC). Her work is driven by her passion to advocate for others and transform workplaces to be more inclusive and equitable. Zack James - Zack is the marketing arm of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast and is a graduate of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Zack is a self-described go-giver and DEI advocate with a passion for service and making a difference across organizations. Daralyse Lyons - Daralyse is the host of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast as well as the author of Demystifying Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. She is a speaker, a consultant, a journalist, and a full-time DEI strategist. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In the first installment of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons takes the listener on a deep-dive into the opportunities and difficulties that have been presented with the rise of remote work. Daralyse uncovers the ways in which the landscape of work as we know it has shifted since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, and the guests featured in this episode share insights on the impact remote work has had on people's personal and professional lives. In this episode, you will learn about: * How the rise of remote work has created a more equitable playing field for persons with disabilities. * How remote work has created more space for adults to be present with their children and their household obligations, while still fulfilling their roles at work. * How remote work has blurred the boundaries between work and home, and how some people have thrived in this environment, while others have not. * The disparity in the work-from-home experience for caregivers and those who are not in caregiving roles. * The disparity in experience between individuals of different identities (such as gender and/or race) when it comes to opportunities and experiences of remote work. * How remote work has cultivated efficiency in communication in the workplace, and has helped curb opportunities for workplace harassment, unwanted comments, etc. * The ways in which working from home can accelerate mental health concerns for some, particularly around issues of loneliness and lack of social outlets. * How going virtual has been a challenge and a blessing to startups and established companies alike. Our guest experts this episode include: Shanna Hocking - Shanna is a thought-leader, keynote speaker, and writer with 20 years experience working in leadership development. Shanna is the author of One Bold Move a Day and the host of the One Bold Move a Day Podcast. Sabrina Volpone - Sabrina is an Associate Professor in the Organizational Leadership Division at the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, and a diversity researcher. She uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how organizations manage their diverse workforces and how diverse individuals flourish through the management of their identities at work. Sabrina spoke about there being a variety of experiences for those working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Munir Mandviwalla - Munir is the Professor of Management Information Systems, a Milton F. Stauffer Senior Research Fellow, and the Executive Director of the Institute for Business and Information Technology at Temple University's Fox School of Business. Natalie Pedersen - Natalie is the Associate Professor of Legal Studies at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, Vice President of the Employment Law Section of the Academy of Legal Studies in Business and Secretary of the Mid-Atlantic Academy of Legal Studies in Business. Chair Charlotte Burrows - Designated by President Biden as Chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - EEOC - on January 20, 2021, Chari Burrows has served as a Commissioner of the EEOC for multiple terms and who previously served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the United States Department of Justice, as well as General Counsel for Civil and Constitutional Rights to Senator Edward M Kennedy. Elizabeth Smith - Elizabeth is a graduate of Rollins College who double-majored in Music and Communications and is currently participating in the Accelerate Graduate Studies Program to obtain a Master of Public Health degree by 2024. She is a disability advocate and researcher who spoke about her experiences with remote work, and what her research showed about how remote work has enabled many individuals with disabilities to attend to their needs while optimizing their contributions and feeling connected in situations where they might have previously been excluded, either due to inaccessibility, or to identity-based discrimination. Joyce Jelks - Joyce Jelks, known personally and professionally as JJ, is the Head of People and Culture at Wieden and Kennedy, NY, an Army Major, the Chief Founding Member, Relationship Engagement Manager for Sean Johnson and Founder of Ottawa Park HR Advisory. Marta Rusek - Marta is a digital storyteller with a passion for helping mission-driven organizations tell their stories. She works full-time as a social media strategist for a nonpartisan, pro-democracy, legal nonprofit in Washington, DC and she maintains a freelance client roster as a storyteller-for-hire who uses vulnerability and versatility to amplify important narratives. Emma Bloksberg-Fireovid - Emma B-F is a speaker, trainer and leadership coach for women and nonbinary folks in the technology industry. She's worked with 100s of leaders to accelerate their careers, maximize their confidence, and amplify their impact. Cameron Footman - Cameron is the first voice of Indigipedia.ca, a lifelong entrepreneur and technology advocate and the founder of Woodcrest Construction – a contracting company which specializes in welding & steel fabrication with a focus on heated furniture & art metalworks. Sunny Taylor Sunny is a decades-long entrepreneur with an at-home accounting practice of a few hundred active clients. She is also Daralyse's mother, and is the content editor and creative collaborator for this podcast. Jacqui Lipton - Jacqui is a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, an attorney, a literary agent, and the author of numerous academic texts. Jacqui also authored Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers, which is a must-read for authors looking to know their rights, increase their self-advocacy skills, and understand the intricacies of the publishing industry. She founded her literary agency, Raven Quill Literary Agency, right at the start of the pandemic and she recently transitioned to agenting at the Tobias Literary Agency. Rachel Lyons - Rachel is the Executive Director at Space for Humanity, a nonprofit organization which aims to make spaceflight available as a way to expand human perspectives, the former Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space-USA, and my cousin, started working remotely in the spring of 2020 and has thrived with the transition. Liz Taylor - Liz is an Assistant Professor in the Sport and Recreation Management Department at Temple University's School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management, whose work examines gender descrimination, homophobia, sexual harassment and assault within the athletic industry, has done a lot of work examining cultures of abuse as well as how workplace expectations of employee engagement can lead to burnout. Yulia Barnakova is the Digital Innovation Lead for the consulting practice of Heidrick & Struggles, a global Executive Search and Leadership Advisory firm. She oversees the digital dexterity development efforts for the practice, developing future-ready leaders who can stay ahead of disruptive technology, innovate with data, and transform their organizations for the digital age. Amanda Arias - Amanda is the Director of People and Culture at Jubilee Media, who prior to her current position accumulated more than 10 years of experience helping growth-centric startups build high-performing teams, operates from the motto "treat people like people." Kelli Clark - Kelli is the Chief Culture Officer at Aon United, who directs the firm's strategies for inclusive people leadership and culture initiatives and who played a pivotal role in scaling Aon's signature cultural workshop - Leading Aon United - to reach more than 800 colleagues virtually while maintaining more than 98% positive feedback. Steph Gantman Kaplan - Steph is a labor and employment attorney and partner at Blank Rome. Steph was listed in the 2020 Philadelphia Business Journal as Best of the Bar: Employment Litigation. Her professional expertise extends to all areas of labor and employment law, including helping organizations to be intentional about implementing policies that seek to increase employee satisfaction while being governed by laws and best practices. Aleksi Aaltonen - Aleksi is an Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems at Temple University's Fox School of Business has over 20 years experience in digital innovation, both as an academic and an entrepreneur. Silvia Masiero - Silvia is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the University of Oslo and the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed works in the domain of Information and Communication Technology for Development, affectionately known as ICT4D. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this introductory episode of Season 3 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons is joined by co-producers Zack James, Leora Eisenstadt and Azaria Keys as they share what listeners can expect this season. The quartet also explores how Temple University's Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC), and the Demystifying Diversity Podcast came to partner with one another in the shared mission of educating and training people about skills and subjects related to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging. The co-producers of Season 3 include:Leora Eisenstadt - Leora is an Associate Professor in the Department of Risk, Actuarial Science and Legal Studies at the Fox School of Business at Temple University, a Murray Shusterman Research Fellow, and the Director of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture - CEDWC. Azaria Keys - Azaria is the Assistant Director of the Fox School of Business' Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture (CEDWC). Her work is driven by her passion to advocate for others and transform workplaces to be more inclusive and equitable. Zack James - Zack is the marketing arm of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast and is a graduate of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM). Zack is a self-described go-giver and DEI advocate with a passion for service and making a difference across organizations. Daralyse Lyons - Daralyse is the host of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast as well as the author of Demystifying Diversity: Embracing Our Shared Humanity. She is a speaker, a consultant, a journalist, and a full-time DEI strategist. This season's sponsors are:Temple University's Fox School of Business Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace CultureVitaSupreme Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

Demystifying Diversity Podcast creator and host, Daralyse Lyons, announces the launch of the On Being Biracial Podcast! The On Being Biracial Podcast is a collaborative effort between biracial journalists Daralyse Lyons and Malcolm Burnley. On Being Biracial amplifies the voices of multiethnic people of a variety of ages and experiences. To learn more, go to onbeingbiracial.com or search for the On Being Biracial Podcast on your favorite podcast hosting platform. HOME | On Being Biracial

In the final installment of Season 2 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, Daralyse Lyons and Zack James conclude the season with an interview of guest Melinda Briana Epler, an expert in building allyship and empathy skills. This Q&A conversation explores not only what it means to be an ally, but also provides concrete strategies that each and every one of us can implement to be better allies in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our relationships. In this episode, you will learn about: The spectrum-nature of privilege and the fact that each and every one of us enjoys some level of privilege, whether we realize and acknowledge it or not. The importance of being an ally in actions, as opposed to just in words. The role that storytelling plays in relating the experiences of marginalization and exclusion, and how these stories substantiate the need for allyship. How to strike the balance between challenging our loved ones to become better allies, while also meeting them where they are to prevent division and alienation. The fact that doing nothing is an act of tacit compliance in perpetuating racism and many other -isms that our society faces. The reminder that the work of allyship is difficult, but the effects of racism and other -isms are even more difficult, and destructive, as opposed to constructive. How our culture of “rugged individualism” not only harms individual groups, but also harms us as a collective, on a national and global scale. Our guest experts this episode include: Melinda Briana Epler - Founder and CEO of Change Catalyst, Melinda is a TED speaker, a diversity and inclusion advocate, and a leader building inclusive innovation around the world. Melinda has 25 years of experience elevating brands and developing business innovation strategies for start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, global NGOs, and so much more. As the CEO of Change Catalyst, Melinda works with her clients and partners to solve diversity and inclusion issues together. Using her background in storytelling, behavioral science and large-scale culture change, she is a strategic advisor for companies, innovation hubs, and governments around the world. She also co-founded Tech Inclusion, a series of global solutions-focused conferences, where she has partnered with over 450 tech companies and community organizations and hosted over 50 solutions-focused diversity and inclusion events. Previously, Melinda was a marketing and culture executive, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. She speaks, mentors and writes about diversity and inclusion, inclusive innovation, empathy, and entrepreneurship. She is the author of the book, How to Be an Ally, and she hosts the popular Leading With Empathy and Allyship Podcast. Resources in this episode include: Melinda Briana Epler's Book: How to Be An Ally Melinda's TedTalk: 3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace Melinda's Podcast: Leading with Empathy and Allyship More of Melinda's writings on Medium.com Change Catalyst website Change Catalyst's State of Allyship Report Connect with Melinda: Twitter: @mbrianaepler Instagram: @changecatalysts Facebook LinkedIn Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons further explores the role that allyship plays in creating true diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. This episode's conversations feature the voices of white allies who are currently doing the work to make the world a better place. In this episode, you will learn about: The role love plays in dismantling inequity and creating cross-cultural understanding and empathy. How taking full responsibility and ownership of one's biases is the clearest way to overcoming them and becoming anti-racist.. The importance of expression, authenticity, and humble curiosity in creating meaningful connection that transcends differences and barriers based on identity. How technology, while well-intended, is not a cure-all for eliminating bias. How making real change requires showing up consistently, despite the incremental nature of progress. Our guest experts this episode include: Joe Henderson - Joe is a lifetime student and practitioner of non-aggressive martial arts, as well as a student and practitioner of personal immersive development with 35 years experience of training facilitation. Joe is the Founder and Director of Next Level Trainings, Philadelphia. Melinda Briana Epler - Melinda is the Founder and CEO of Change Catalyst and author of How to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace. Melinda is a diversity and inclusion expert who works as a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs and governments around the world. Her TedTalk, 3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace, is a must-watch. Ryan Honeyman - Ryan is a Partner at LIFT Economy and coauthor of The B Corp Handbook: How to Use Business as a Force for Good. Ryan provides diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting services to B Corps and other social enterprises with a specific focus on working with white-led and/or majority white companies to educate, organize, and mobilize white-identified people towards collective liberation. John Monaghan - John, the Director of Partnerships at All Aces, Inc. has over 20 years of community engagement and problem solving stemming from his experience in law enforcement. John is a former massage therapist and martial arts devotee turned law enforcement officer who, after retiring from the position of Chief of Police in New Hampshire, became a full-time advocate for racial equity and social justice. Bryan Miller - Bryan is the Executive Director of Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence, a grassroots and faith-based organization headquartered in Philadelphia, whose mission is to reduce and prevent gun violence. He has made it his mission to end gun violence, after the loss of his brother to murder in 1994. Simon Chadwick - Simon grew up in Apartheid South Africa. His father, Bishop Graham Chadwick, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist. He spent much of his young life in South Africa, then was educated at Oxford in politics, philosophy and economics. Now, he is a United States Citizen and the author of For the People: A Citizen's Manifesto to Shaping Our Nation's Future. Alex Vaccaro - Alex is the Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He has over 830 peer-reviewed and 210 non-peer reviewed publications and is the President of Rothman Institute, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley and Co-Director of Spine Surgery and the Spine Fellowship Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he instructs current fellows and residents in the diagnosis and treatment of various spinal problems and disorders. Jen O'Ryan - Jen O'Ryan, the founder of Double Tall Consulting, she is the author of Inclusive AF:A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts and a self-titled accidental expert in diversity and inclusion. Rob Lawless - In November of 2015, Rob set out to make 10,000 friends through hour-long, one-on one conversations. Now halfway through, he has spoken to people of a variety of backgrounds and identities, from more than 75 countries, and can see how his life experiences have enabled him to take certain risks while being loved and supported in his passions and his purpose. Emily Anderson - Emily is a former marketing director and lifestyle expert turned human-centered designer who specializes in digital empowerment. When she's not working on another book project or using her writing as a catalyst for change, Emily is striving to bring about gender diversity in tech through her work as a coding teacher for Girls Who Code. Peter H Reinke - Jr. Business Development Officer & Assistant Vice President at Univest Bank & Trust and the founder of the people-centered networking group Friends of Pete. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons explores the enduring legacy of white supremacy and racism, and how it currently impacts our society today. This episode is the first installment of the White Allyship series, in which Daralyse interviews white allies who are actively doing work to break down barriers and make the world more inclusive from their self-acknowledged place of power, privilege, and influence. In this episode, you will learn about: How racism and other -isms will continue to pervade our society as long as privileged groups allow it to. How microaggressions, when permitted, perpetrate harm in subtle and overt ways. The role that privilege, anger, and the shirking of responsibility have in creating a culture of discrimination. How, when unchecked, cultures of discrimination and mistrust lead to opression and systems that beget political despotism and autocracy. How genuine connection and a desire to understand individual experience is a powerful antidote to creating cultures of discrimination. Our guest experts this episode include: Joe Henderson - Joe is a lifetime student and practitioner of non-aggressive martial arts, as well as a student and practitioner of personal immersive development with 35 years experience of training facilitation. Joe is the Founder and Director of Next Level Trainings, Philadelphia. Melinda Briana Epler - Melinda is the Founder and CEO of Change Catalyst and author of How to Be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace. Melinda is a diversity and inclusion expert who works as a strategic advisor for tech companies, tech hubs and governments around the world. Her TedTalk, 3 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace, is a must-watch. Ryan Honeyman - Ryan is a Partner at LIFT Economy and coauthor of The B Corp Handbook: How to Use Business as a Force for Good. Ryan provides diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting services to B Corps and other social enterprises with a specific focus on working with white-led and/or majority white companies to educate, organize, and mobilize white-identified people towards collective liberation. John Monaghan - John, the Director of Partnerships at All Aces, Inc. has over 20 years of community engagement and problem solving stemming from his experience in law enforcement. John is a former massage therapist and martial arts devotee turned law enforcement officer who, after retiring from the position of Chief of Police in New Hampshire, became a full-time advocate for racial equity and social justice. Bryan Miller - Bryan is the Executive Director of Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence, a grassroots and faith-based organization headquartered in Philadelphia, whose mission is to reduce and prevent gun violence. He has made it his mission to end gun violence, after the loss of his brother to murder in 1994. Simon Chadwick - Simon grew up in Apartheid South Africa. His father, Bishop Graham Chadwick, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist. He spent much of his young life in South Africa, then was educated at Oxford in politics, philosophy and economics. Now, he is a United States Citizen and the author of For the People: A Citizen's Manifesto to Shaping Our Nation's Future. Alex Vacaro - Alex is the Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He has over 830 peer-reviewed and 210 non-peer reviewed publications and is the President of Rothman Institute, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley and Co-Director of Spine Surgery and the Spine Fellowship Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he instructs current fellows and residents in the diagnosis and treatment of various spinal problems and disorders. Jen O'Ryan - Jen O'Ryan, the founder of Double Tall Consulting, she is the author of Inclusive AF:A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts and a self-titled accidental expert in diversity and inclusion. Rob Lawless - In November of 2015, Rob set out to make 10,000 friends through hour-long, one-on one conversations. Now halfway through, he has spoken to people of a variety of backgrounds and identities, from more than 75 countries, and can see how his life experiences have enabled him to take certain risks while being loved and supported in his passions and his purpose. Emily Anderson - Emily is a former marketing director and lifestyle expert turned human-centered designer who specializes in digital empowerment. When she's not working on another book project or using her writing as a catalyst for change, Emily is striving to bring about gender diversity in tech through her work as a coding teacher for Girls Who Code. Peter H Reinke - Jr. Business Development Officer & Assistant Vice President at Univest Bank & Trust and the founder of the people-centered networking group Friends of Pete. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

With this being the last week of Black History Month, we've made the decision that, rather than releasing a new series of episodes, we would invite Demystifying Diversity Podcast listeners to revisit previous content about Black History in America and to celebrate and honor Blackness, not only this month, but always. We will release a new episode next week, but, in the meantime, we hope you'll go back and check out one or more of our previous episodes that center Black voices. Those Episodes are: Season One, Episodes 5, 6, & 7 and a Q&A Episode Episode 5: Black History: From Slavery to Segregation Episode 6: Black Pain: The Enduring Impact of Racism Episode 7: Black Joy, Success, Culture and Community Q&A with Guest Jonathan Howe from Temple University Season Two, Episode 2: Black and Blue: An Exploration of the Inequities in a Broken Criminal Justice System Thank you for your continued listenership and keep an eye out for next week's episode announcement. If you want to be a better ally, you won't want to miss it!

In this Q&A episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, hosts Daralyse Lyons and Zack James speak with Temple University's Dr. Nikki Franke, Head Fencing Coach and former US Olympian. In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Franke expounds upon the lessons learned in the first two episodes of this series, while also reflecting on her own experiences of being a Black female fencer, coach and Olympian. In this episode, you will learn about: What it takes in order to be a pioneer in a high-pressure setting, such as that found within competitive sports. The power of prioritizing connection and relationships in unifying groups of individuals around common goals. The importance of supporting athletes as people, not just for their athletic accomplishments. The role of exposing youths of all backgrounds to different sports. The importance of diverse representation within athletics. The value that can be derived, especially for future generations, by providing greater opportunities for kids to become involved in sports. The importance of supporting future generations in creating authentic communication in a world of social media and constant engagement with technology. The role that balance creates in curbing the loss that athletes feel when their playing days are over. Our guest expert this episode is: Dr. Nikki Franke - Dr. Franke was a member of the 1976 and 1980 US Olympic Fencing teams and was the United States Fencing Association's National Foil Champion in both 1975 and 1980. Nikki competed in the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games capturing a silver medal in the 1975 individual foil competition and a bronze in the 1979 competition. While attending Brooklyn College, where she graduated with honors, Nikki was a four year letter winner placing third individually at the 1972 NIWFA National Championships and was named an NIWFA All-American. In 1979 she was inducted into the Brooklyn College Hall of Fame. After transitioning into the role of coach, she continued to receive additional hall of fame honors and awards. In 1995, Nikki was inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame. In 1998, she was inducted into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame. And in 2002, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame, which was established by the Women's Sports Foundation. Nikki was one of only three women to be inducted that year and was chosen based on her impressive coaching, playing teaching and community service records. A true trailblazer in her field she was the first Black woman hired to coach an NCAA fencing team. And now in her 49th year at the helm of the Temple Fencing program, Dr. Franke recently led the Temple Owls to their highest ranking in program history, which the team accomplished during a pandemic. She recently retired as an Associate Professor in Temple University's Department of Public Health, and she holds a Master's Degree in Health Education as well as a doctorate degree. Resources in this episode include: A Balanced Life: Nikki Franke, Fencing Legend Black Women in Sport Foundation Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, host Daralyse Lyons explores the value of furthering the growth of diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of the world of sports. In interviews with current and former athletes, coaches and sports industry executives, she uncovers their perspectives and experiences regarding the critical role of sports within society. Through solutions-oriented reporting, this episode examines strategies that have worked to increase DEI, and explores the need for greater interventions to make sports a truly safe and equitable space. In this episode, you will learn about: The importance of representation, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in athletics. How individual choices made by individual people to stand for inclusion can inspire an entire organization's growth in its DEI practices. How personal narratives, as opposed to statistics, play a critical role in changing hearts and minds in the work of making the world a more inclusive place. The role that allyship, along with hard work and grit, can play in breaking through barriers and creating change within organizations. How exposing youth to opportunities within and outside of athletics can serve to diversify workplaces, both inside and outside of the sports world. The economic realities and benefits of having a policy of inclusivity - not only in sports, but in any type of organization. The importance of inclusivity in sports, especially in navigating the end-of-career transition that athletes face. How a focus on inclusivity improves an athlete's mental health and sense of belonging, even after their playing days are over. Our guests in this episode include: Jordan Keesler - a graduate student at Georgia State University whose exploration of the complex relationships between sports policies and identity, with a specific focus on gender, race, and culture illuminate systemic and structural inequities within sports. Their thesis, tentatively titled “Put Me in Coach: The Phenomenology of Trans Masculine NCAA Athlete's Gender,” examines the simultaneous visibility and invisibility of trans folks in athletics. Jordan's insights about this important subject extend beyond their research and are informed by their experiences as a trans athlete who, in college, was affirmed on their cross country team and subjected to active aggression on that same college's softball team. Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir - a Black Muslim basketball player, who has become a national and international icon, recognized as the first Muslim woman in NCAA history to play covered. The innovator behind the campaign Muslim Girls Hoop Too, Bilqis has devoted her career to encouraging Muslim girls to play sports and openly express their faith. A passionate athlete from her earliest memories, Bilquis scored 3,070 points over her high school career, setting the all-time scoring record for the entire state of Massachusetts then went on to attend the University of Memphis and later Indiana State University where, in addition to her on-the-court achievements, she was a Dean's List student. Natalie Fahey - A lifelong athlete who transitioned during her time as a Division 1 Swimmer at University of Southern Illinois-Carbondale. Natalie is now a voice and advocate for the representation and rights of trans athletes across collegiate and amateur athletics. Carla Torosian - An award-winning powerlifter and member of the Blackfeet tribe, Carla is an advocate for both Indigenous athletes and athletes of color. She draws from her experiences in becoming a competitive athlete while growing up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and facing scrutiny and discrimination for everything from her socioeconomic upbringing to her appearance. Danielle Evans - Danielle is both a rugby player and holds the title as Miss Brighton 2021. She is the founder and creator of the viral Try Me campaign aimed at empowering people to push past the negative stereotypes to success. Mickey Grace - Mickey started her football journey as an All-City Defensive End at Germantown High school in Philadelphia, PA. She then went on to play Division 1 Women's Rugby at West Chester University. Since making the transition from player to coach, she has served as the acting head coach of Women's Football Alliance Philadelphia team, the Philly Phantomz and still holds a seat on the board. In the off season, Coach Mickey trains numerous elite athletes including 7 Super Bowl champions. She spent 5 years as the Defensive Line and Assistant Coach at Mastery Charter North Football Program, interned for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and acted as a Scouting Apprentice for the LA Rams. Currently Mickey Grace is the Defensive Assistant for Dartmouth College. Zack James - One of the partners of The Demystifying Diversity Podcast. Prior to forming Rebel Hill Consulting where he serves as CEO, Zack was a twelve-year veteran of the Sports & Entertainment industry. After graduating from Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management, Zack rose up the ranks from a Ticket Sales Representative to a Premium All-Access Manager with the Brooklyn Nets franchise. And, still today, he produces a variety of content and shows featuring former and current professional athletes. Trevor Baptiste - Trevor is a Haitian-American professional lacrosse player and face-off specialist who plays for both the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League. Growing up in a predominantly white community and playing a predominantly white sport, Trevor offers unique experiences in what it means to not only be a minority in his sport of choice, but also in what it means to allow his play on the field to define him, and not his appearance. He offers perspective on how sport can be used to combat racism and other isms. Jeffrey Montague - Jeffrey is the former Associate Vice Dean of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), and current Director of STHM's Alumni Engagement. Jeffrey is also the founder of MontagueMade Consulting, a company that supports and sustains Brand Management, Strategic & Innovative planning in the area of Hospitality and Sport, Curriculum Development, and Diversity of Thought through group and individual intervention. Jeffrey is also a partner of Real Property Capital United Advisors, a group of investors focusing on property development and investment in Hotel Development, and Public & Private Capitalization. Bo-Dean Sanders - Bo-Dean is the author of Race Against, Against Race: My Journey of Diversity and Inclusion Through Sports, was raised in the shadow of segregation. He grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, played sports on entirely Black teams with Black coaches and attended majority Black schools all the way until Cheyney University, until he was recruited to play football at Villanova. Ric Beardsley - four-time All-American defenseman and lifelong lacrosse player-turned-coach, Ric is an advocate for the game of lacrosse and is a proponent of creating opportunities for the game to be played and enjoyed by disadvantaged youth. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

This episode of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast follows host Daralyse Lyons as she explores issues concerning representation in sports. In her interviews with current and former athletes, coaches and sports industry executives, she is able to highlight the ways in which the sports world can marginalize, or “other,” its participants and stakeholders, despite holding such a prominent place in our society. In this episode, you will learn about: The importance of representation, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in athletics. The potential burden and scrutiny that can result from being the first person of a marginalized identity group to enter into an academic or athletic arena. The double-bind faced by many trans athletes as they move and perform within their sport, and the ways in which the external challenges they face shape their identity and self-conception as they navigate their gender identity. The power of sports teams to be a voice for change and to eradicate (or perpetuate) discrimination within our society. The pressures that members of minority groups face to conform or modify how they express themselves and their identities in order to “fit in” to the predominantly white-run space that is the sports industry. How sports come from a white nationalist origin, and the far-reaching impact this still has today. Our guests in this episode include: Jordan Keesler - a graduate student at Georgia State University whose exploration of the complex relationships between sports policies and identity, with a specific focus on gender, race, and culture illuminate systemic and structural inequities within sports. Their thesis, tentatively titled “Put Me in Coach: The Phenomenology of Trans Masculine NCAA Athlete's Gender,” examines the simultaneous visibility and invisibility of trans folks in athletics. Jordan's insights about this important subject extend beyond their research and are informed by their experiences as a trans athlete who, in college, was affirmed on their cross country team and subjected to active aggression on that same college's softball team. Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir - a Black Muslim basketball player, who has become a national and international icon, recognized as the first Muslim woman in NCAA history to play covered. The innovator behind the campaign Muslim Girls Hoop Too, Bilquis has devoted her career to encouraging Muslim girls to play sports and openly express their faith. A passionate athlete from her earliest memories, Bilquis scored 3,070 points over her high school career, setting the all-time scoring record for the entire state of Massachusetts then went on to attend the University of Memphis and later Indiana State University where, in addition to her on-the-court achievements, she was a Dean's List student. Natalie Fahey - A lifelong athlete who transitioned during her time as a Division 1 Swimmer at University of Southern Illinois-Carbondale. Natalie is now a voice and advocate for the representation and rights of trans athletes across collegiate and amateur athletics. Carla Torosian - An award-winning powerlifter and member of the Blackfeet tribe, Carla is an advocate for both Indigenous athletes and athletes of color. She draws from her experiences in becoming a competitive athlete while growing up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, and facing scrutiny and discrimination for everything from her socioeconomic upbringing to her appearance. Danielle Evans - Danielle is both a rugby player and holds the title as Miss Brighton 2021. She is the founder and creator of the viral Try Me campaign aimed at empowering people to push past the negative stereotypes to success. Mickey Grace - Mickey started her football journey as an All-City Defensive End at Germantown High school in Philadelphia, PA. She then went on to play Division 1 Women's Rugby at West Chester University. Since making the transition from player to coach, she has served as the acting head coach of Women's Football Alliance Philadelphia team, the Philly Phantomz and still holds a seat on the board. In the off season, Coach Mickey trains numerous elite athletes including 7 Super Bowl champions. She spent 5 years as the Defensive Line and Assistant Coach at Mastery Charter North Football Program, interned for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and acted as a Scouting Apprentice for the LA Rams. Currently Mickey Grace is the Defensive Assistant for Dartmouth College. Zack James - One of the partners of The Demystifying Diversity Podcast. Prior to forming Rebel Hill Consulting where he serves as CEO, Zack was a twelve-year veteran of the Sports & Entertainment industry. After graduating from Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management, Zack rose up the ranks from a Ticket Sales Representative to a Premium All-Access Manager with the Brooklyn Nets franchise. And, still today, he produces a variety of content and shows featuring former and current professional athletes. Trevor Baptiste - Trevor is a Haitian-American professional lacrosse player and face-off specialist who plays for both the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League. Growing up in a predominantly white community and playing a predominantly white sport, Trevor offers unique experiences in what it means to not only be a minority in his sport of choice, but also in what it means to allow his play on the field to define him, and not his appearance. He offers perspective on how sport can be used to combat racism and other isms. Jeffrey Montague - Jeffrey is the former Associate Vice Dean of Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), and current Director of STHM's Alumni Engagement. Jeffrey is also the founder of MontagueMade Consulting, a company that supports and sustains Brand Management, Strategic & Innovative planning in the area of Hospitality and Sport, Curriculum Development, and Diversity of Thought through group and individual intervention. Jeffrey is also a partner of Real Property Capital United Advisors, a group of investors focusing on property development and investment in Hotel Development, and Public & Private Capitalization. Bo-Dean Sanders - Bo-Dean is the author of Race Against, Against Race: My Journey of Diversity and Inclusion Through Sports, was raised in the shadow of segregation. He grew up in a predominately Black neighborhood, played sports on entirely Black teams with Black coaches and attended majority Black schools all the way until Cheyney University, until he was recruited to play football at Villanova. Ric Beardsley - four-time All-American defenseman and lifelong lacrosse player-turned-coach, Ric is an advocate for the game of lacrosse and is a proponent of creating opportunities for the game to be played and enjoyed by disadvantaged youth. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Question and Answer episode of Season 2 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast, hosts Daralyse Lyons and Zack James are joined by geriatrician and aging expert Lena Makaroun, as the three of them explore ageism and the ways in which anti-ageist attitudes show up in our society. They focus on self-examination, allyship, inclusion, intergenerational connection and other tangible skills that each of us can utilize to become allies in the fight against ageism. Daralyse, Zack, and Dr. Makaroun revisit some of the key points from the first two episodes of the Ageism series, then respond to listener questions. In this episode, you will learn about: The importance of diversity of exposure in eliminating not just ageism, but all of the -isms that shape our perceptions of individuals and the groups they comprise. The critical role of agency in maintaining personal identity, and how it relates to ageism. How paternalism is NOT allyship, and the ways in which paternalistic attitudes hinder a person's agency. The role that age has as an intersectional identity that interacts with and impacts all other elements of individual personhood. The ways in which we can all become part of the solution as we work together to combat ageism, with a particular focus on older and younger folx. The different ways in which ageism can be presented, overtly or implicitly, and how coming from a place of curiosity can eliminate our own ageist assumptions and biases. The organizations referenced in this episode include: American Geriatrics Society HelpAge USA Gerontological Society of America The Frameworks Institute Anti-ageist children's books we recommend: Harry and Walter by Kathy Stinson Mr. McGinty's Monarchs by Linda Vander Heyden My Teacher by James Ransome Meena by Sine Van Mol To get in contact with Lena Makaroun, this episode's guest expert, email her at: lena.makaroun@va.gov or lkm35@pitt.edu Our guest in this episode is Dr. Lena Makaroun, MD MS: Lena Makaroun is an Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Pepper Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh and a core investigator at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion. Dr. Makaroun's research focuses on social determinants of aging health and elder abuse. Specifically, her current work aims to broaden our understanding of multifaceted contributors to elder abuse, risk and susceptibility in order to improve elder abuse detection in the healthcare setting. Her goal is to develop evidence-based interventions to address elder abuse and improve health outcomes, safety and quality of life for this population. Dr. Makaroun completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, M.D. at Weil Cornell Medical College and M.S. in Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health. In addition to her research, Dr. Makaroun loves caring for older veterans in her geriatrics clinic at the VA. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Geriatric Society where she is co-chairing the society's Intersection of Structural Racism and Ageism in Healthcare initiative and is an associate editor for the journal: Innovation in Aging. Click here for the episode transcript.

In the 9th episode of Season 2 of the Demystifying Diversity Podcast follows host Daralyse Lyons as she dives deeper into Ageism as it is interwoven into the fabric of American society. Daralyse is joined by gerontologists, activists, and researchers for an in-depth examination of the implications that ageism has on both our personal lives and how we operate within society at large. None of us are immune to ageism, especially older and younger individuals. While the previous episode focused on the abuses caused by ageism, this episode offers tangible suggestions for overcoming ageism in ourselves and in others. In this episode, you will learn about: How markers such as a person's age can be reframed through inclusive language. The importance of recognizing and understanding someone's entire lived experience, and appreciating the myriad ways our accumulated experiences shape each of us as individuals. The societal forces that are needed in order to make our society more age-inclusive. The direct links between how a person perceives their own age, and its impact on their overall health and well-being. Ageism's role in furthering capitalism and whiteness, and how if unchecked, it can promote other -isms as well. Our guests in this episode include: Ryan Backer - Ryan is the co-creator of OldSchool, an anti-ageism clearinghouse. He is an age activist striving to undo ageism within an intersectional framework. They aim to eradicate ageism, along with white supremacy, gender bias, ableism, body shaming, homophobia, classism and all other forms of oppression. Lena Makaroun - Lena is an ex-officio board member with the American Geriatrics Society, a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older people, is a Geriatrician and Research Fellow who also sees patients at the VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion in Pittsburgh. She studies the intersection between health policy and health equity, with a particular interest in assessing the social determinants of aging on health and in reducing and preventing elder abuse. Trish D'Antonio - Trish is the Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for the Gerontological Society of America, an organization that is dedicated to supporting individuals in living meaningful lives as they age, something which requires a multidisciplinary and intersectional approach. Mia Mullen & Kiersten Jacobs - Two members of LeadingAge's executive team, Mia is LeadingAge's Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives and Kiersten is Senior Director of Shared Learning Initiatives. Together, they work to address the effectiveness of internal and external initiatives and to advance LeadingAge's ageism work, with a strategic focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Theresa Reid - Having spent much of her working life in the nonprofit sector, Theresa has spent time to establish and then run the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, The Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, ArtsEngine and Living Arts and the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities. She has chaired her county's chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. And she is the innovator behind Aging For Life. Theresa sees the connections between social neglect and insufficient resources early in life and the ways these failures haunt us throughout the life course. Kyrié Carpenter - One of the co-founders of OldSchool, Kyrie has worked to shift the tragedy-only narrative of ageism and dementia through her work on the ChangingAging tour. Prior to ChangingAging, she worked with elders living in long-term care and she wrote her thesis on the Anti-Aging Myth in America. Lise Jamison - Lise is a licensed clinical social worker and Executive Director of At Home In Greenwich, a nonprofit membership organization that supports older folks in remaining at home as long as they choose to do so and that provides everything from community engagement to structures of support for individuals as they age. Talia Kaplan - a student, a gymnast, a daughter, a sister, and a huge proponent of intergenerational relationships. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.