Our podcast exists to help CEOs, leaders and their teams understand what they need to do differently today to prepare for the world of tomorrow.
During lockdown, Starts At the Top began as a podcast about digital disruption. But we realised that leaders were telling us about something more important and urgent: how traditional ways of leading had changed, forever. We speak to leaders who are carving out new ways of leading, covering topics from emerging tech to inclusion, remote work, mental health and climate change.
Our podcast isn’t about shiny corporate case studies. It’s about the lessons learned and progress made the hard way - and how that can inspire others.
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Our podcast exists to help CEOs, leaders and their teams understand what they need to do differently today to prepare for the world of tomorrow.
During lockdown, Starts At the Top began as a podcast about digital disruption. But we realised that leaders were telling us about something more important and urgent: how traditional ways of leading had changed, forever. We speak to leaders who are carving out new ways of leading, covering topics from emerging tech to inclusion, remote work, mental health and climate change.
Our podcast isn’t about shiny corporate case studies. It’s about the lessons learned and progress made the hard way - and how that can inspire others.
Episode 86 - Jassa Ahluwalia - Mixed Identity and Leadership: End of Season Summer Special
Starts at the Top Podcast
1 hour 8 minutes 2 seconds
4 months ago
Episode 86 - Jassa Ahluwalia - Mixed Identity and Leadership: End of Season Summer Special
We chat to actor, filmmaker and the author of Both Not Half, Jassa Ahluwalia
We're ending our season with something truly special - a transformative conversation with Jassa Ahluwalia that we know will stay with you long after listening.
Jassa is a British actor, writer, filmmaker and trade unionist, known for roles in Unforgotten, Ripper Street, and Peaky Blinders. Born in Coventry to a white English mother and Punjabi father.
His hashtag #BothNotHalf emerged from a viral video and evolved into a movement exploring mixed identity. His TEDx talk "How Language Shapes Identity" has garnered over 200,000 views, and his BBC One documentary Am I English? won an Asian Media Award in 2022.
In our conversation, Jassa shares how that viral Instagram video led to his powerful book Both Not Half: A Radical New Approach to Mixed Identity. This isn't just about personal identity. It’s about revolutionising how leaders create belonging, moving from allyship to solidarity, and why challenging binary thinking is essential for modern organisations.
Three simple words - "Both Not Half" - that could transform how your organisation thinks about identity, belonging, and true inclusion.
As it's our season finale, we've also packed in Paul and Zoe's holiday reading and podcast recommendations to take with you over the break.
We'll be back at the end of summer with fresh episodes, but this conversation will give you plenty to think about until then!
Show notes
Jassa’s work-Both Not Half: a Radical New Approach to Mixed Heritage Identity https://www.bonnierbooks.co.uk/books/blink-publishing/both-not-half/ -Jassa Ahluwahlia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/officialjassa/?hl=en -Jassa’s TEDx Talk: "How Language Shapes Identity" https://youtu.be/SP0bAQ8J6C0?si=HAaxO4SvPtqL6M2R Summer recommendations-What Did You Do Yesterday podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/62lFI5XAYb68cSOcOWnDI9 -Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29502354-rest -Chinese and Any Other Asian by Anna Sulan Masing https://www.weidenfeldandnicolson.co.uk/titles/anna-sulan-masing/chinese-and-any-other-asian/9781399606684/ - An A-Z of Chinese Food (Recipes Not Included) by Jenny Lau https://www.celestialpeach.com/an-az-of-chinese-food-recipes-not-included Please leave us a review if you enjoy what you hear!
Editing and production - Syren Studios with Paul Thomas
Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music
Full transcript of this episode (srt file)
Full transcript of this episode (.txt file)
Transcripts are also available through your podcast app.
Starts at the Top Podcast
Our podcast exists to help CEOs, leaders and their teams understand what they need to do differently today to prepare for the world of tomorrow.
During lockdown, Starts At the Top began as a podcast about digital disruption. But we realised that leaders were telling us about something more important and urgent: how traditional ways of leading had changed, forever. We speak to leaders who are carving out new ways of leading, covering topics from emerging tech to inclusion, remote work, mental health and climate change.
Our podcast isn’t about shiny corporate case studies. It’s about the lessons learned and progress made the hard way - and how that can inspire others.
