The job market feels broken—and it’s failing both job seekers and hiring teams. Job seekers are exhausted: pouring energy into applications, only to be met with silence. Hiring teams are overwhelmed: sorting through endless resumes, yet still struggling to find the right fit. Something has to change. In this special edition of The Intersection, I speak with Ify Walker, Founder & CEO of Offor, for a candid conversation about why traditional hiring isn’t working—and what leaders can do diff...

This episode is part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, celebrating our most downloaded conversations that are shaping leadership. We are joined by Dr. Ahmmad Brown, scholar-practitioner and expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In this episode, Dr. Brown shares practical frameworks for navigating challenging DEI conversations in today’s complex workplace environments. Tune in for a practical conversation about effectively communicating DEI, fostering organizational ...

This week on The Intersection Podcast, I’m joined by Suzanne Jakstavich — Chief People Officer, executive coach, and longtime champion for equity and inclusion. Suzanne’s career journey, shaped by her upbringing and early experiences, fueled a deep commitment to building people-first workplaces.. Suzanne shares how leaders can foster psychological safety, lead with curiosity, and model vulnerability in ways that ripple through entire organizations. We explore the shifting challenges facing le...

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a favorite conversation in our Intersection Rewind series with Taylor Elyse Morrison — speaker, facilitator, and founder of Inner Workout. Taylor invites us to reimagine self-care not as spa days or checklists, but as a transformative practice rooted in self-awareness and inner dialogue. Drawing from yogic philosophy and her own leadership journey, she introduces the five dimensions of well-being and explains how slowing down can help us...

This week on The Intersection Podcast as part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, we are joined by Nyerere Billups, an ex-senior pharmaceutical leader, motivational speaker, and talent magnet. In this episode, Nyerere shares her powerful journey from homelessness to leadership, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices while challenging systemic inequities. As we dive into her story, Nyerere discusses the concept of bringing your whole self to work, how personal empow...

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a conversation with John Higginson, the previous CTO of Chief, as he shares his expertise on driving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the tech industry. John explains the vital role white men can play in championing DEI efforts, and how simple, but powerful changes—such as removing gendered language from job descriptions and establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—are making a significant impact on fostering...

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we're joined by Michaela Ayers, a multidisciplinary artist and DEIA strategist who is redefining how creativity can be a catalyst for deeper connection and transformational learning in organizations. Michaela, the founder of Nourish Community, brings a wealth of experience designing community-centered, art-infused learning experiences that prioritize the body, storytelling, and imagination. In this episode, we explore how somatic, interactive learning ca...

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we are joined by Julye Williams, founder of The Project 2043 Institute, where she works to help organizations prepare for our increasingly multiracial society. Julye, an advocate for racial and social justice, brings 20 years of expertise in education, youth programs, and social-emotional learning. She has developed the Liberatory Consciousness Framework, a powerful tool for organizations looking to advance in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (D...

In today’s episode of The Intersection Rewind, we revisit a powerful conversation with Emily Voorde, the founder and CEO of IntuStrategies, a consultancy dedicated to advancing disability inclusion. Emily's journey is a testament to the work being done to ensure that leadership spaces and organizations are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Emily shares that “disability inclusion isn’t just about compliance or accommodations, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels v...

We're excited to bring you this episode as part of The Intersection Rewind: 10 Powerful Conversations that Still Resonate. This series features 10 of our most downloaded and favorite conversations from the last five years. . The wealth gap in America continues to widen, with systemic inequities disproportionately affecting communities of color. According to research, Black households hold just 12 cents for every dollar of white household wealth, while Latinx families hold only 21 cents for ea...

How Can You Leverage AI to Drive DEI? 🤔 Data-driven decision-making is crucial for building inclusive and high-performing teams. Yet, only a fraction of organizations are using AI to its full potential. Join me and Torin Ellis, Founder of The Torin Ellis Brand, as we explore how to leverage AI to create more equitable HR practices and inform strategic leadership decisions. Listen now for insights that can shape your HR practices and drive business results. Available now on your favorite podca...

"It’s important to identify your values and to see how those values impact your leadership decisions, especially when you're feeling stretched thin." What if saying "no" made you a stronger, more effective leader? Leadership isn’t just about what you take on—it’s about what you let go of. In this episode, we explore how intentional leadership and values alignment create stronger teams, healthier cultures, and better results—without burnout. Stephanie Waite, Founder of 7air Consulting, ...

"You can only lead others through change effectively when you’ve first mastered leading yourself through uncertainty." In this episode, Tiffany Perry, culture change architect and founder of Amberus Partners, shares why slowing down and focusing on what you can control is key to leadership resilience. From journaling to executive coaching to reconnecting with nature—discover the tools that help leaders stay grounded and effective in times of major upheaval. Available now wherever you listen t...

Did you know that 40-50% of new senior leaders fail within their first 12 months? Stepping into a senior role isn’t just about a new title—it’s about navigating complexity, managing change, and redefining what success looks like. In this episode with Alida Al-Saadi, we dive into the leadership change model we co-developed, designed to support leaders during this pivotal transition. Whether you’re stepping into an executive role for the first time or refining your leadership approach, th...

Burnout isn’t an individual struggle—it is an organizational crisis. According to a recent survey by On Ramps and The Memo I Never Got, 95% of social sector senior executives experience burnout, and 63% are considering leaving their roles because of it. The pressure to perform at the highest level, constantly be ‘on,’ and navigate todays complex challenges is relentless. But here’s the truth: Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s an organizational imperative. Sabbaticals aren’t about stepping away; they’r...

It’s time to step out of the shadows. As women, we often let our corporate roles define us, losing sight of who we truly are. In this episode of The Intersection, I speak with Catlin O'Shaughnessy Coffrin where we unpack what it takes to reclaim our identities and rediscover who we were meant to be. Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform to explore what it means to cultivate your personal brand and proclaim your voice. Find the link in the first comment below....

With the upcoming holidays upon us, I'm taking time off but for your listening pleasure I'm rebroadcasting the most downloaded episode of 2024. My guest, Nyerere K Billups, shares his personal journey as a leader which resonated with so many in The Intersection Podcast community. Grab your beverage of choice and listen to this powerful episode (link is in the first comment). I'm sending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has liked, shared, or listened to the podcast. It ...

We’re joined by Alexandra Levit is the Founder and CEO of Inspiration at work and the founder of Driven—an app and program designed to support historically underrepresented job seekers as they navigate the emotional stress of unemployment. Alexandra shares how a protracted job search impacts mental health, particularly for Gen Z, who are entering the workforce with the worst mental health of any generation. We explore actionable insights on managing the emotional toll of a job search while fo...

How might organizations support financially stressed employees and why does it matter? For three decades Jaquette Timmons has explored the intersection of money, business, and life. During my conversation with Jaquette we discussed the often-overlooked issue of financial stress and its impact on both personal well-being and workplace engagement. Tune in for a powerful conversation about the relationship between your personal finances, employee engagement, and what organizati...

What does it take to lead in today's complex workplace? Sonya Kaleel, a future-focused leader and founder of The Inclusion Practice is conducting cutting-edge research on the competencies needed to lead and communicate in tumultuous times. Sonya discusses the fear of saying the wrong thing, the isolation many senior leaders experience, and the importance of epic listening. Tune in for a powerful conversation about what is possible when we lead from authenticity and connection. R...