Permission to Pause: The Critical Role of Reflection in Understanding Bias

In this episode, we dive into the world of fashion, beauty and inclusion with our guest, Megan Ixim, also known as “Ms. Gigggles”—she is a Marketing Director and the founder of Socially Deviant Media and Plus Size Thrift. Evolution of the Fashion Industry  We journey through the shifting sands of beauty standards in America from the Marilyn-Monroe-1950s, to the rise of the Kardashian era, exploring how national economic conditions have sculpted society’s view of the ideal body type. Megan shares her own battles with body image and the harsh realities of 'body privilege’ in healthcare and the workforce.  Breaking Rigid Beauty Standards As we move into the broader implications of these beauty norms, we discuss how New Jersey and New York lead the way with new anti-discrimination laws. We’ll also touch upon the growing concern of eating disorders and the essence of self-acceptance. Championing Diversity and Inclusion Inspirational and brave, Megan recounts her life's journey and how she became a driven entrepreneur and a vocal fat activist. And our host, Bindu, also shares some of her own personal cultural encounters with beauty standards. Together, they advocate for room-making in leadership for marginalized voices in the fashion industry, grapple with the power of personal branding and the imperative of clothing as empowerment. This episode is a juicy one, so tune in, and share with those who you think may learn something! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

This episode features the dynamic Adriana Carrig, founder and CEO of Little Words Project. Ten years into her business, it's been a beacon of growth and influence, especially after icons like Taylor Swift and Lance Bass featured her bracelets live at the VMA’s. Adriana brings us into her journey of dealing with initial worries that quickly transformed into a burgeoning brand presence, inspiring partnerships, and an adorning celebrity clientele. We're diving deep into more than business growth, as Adriana courageously leads the charge in shattering the silence around breastfeeding in the workplace and on social media. She recounts her experiences and the importance of supporting women's choices and pushing for a corporate culture of understanding and empathy. We'll also delve more into workplace equity, civic engagement, and the personal stories that shape us. This episode is truly centered on self-love, resilience, and the power of positivity to transform not just our inner lives but the communities we're part of. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

In this episode, we're excited to share a conversation I had with Daisha McDaniel—Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Talent Acquisition Advisor at Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s most successful standalone interactive entertainment and gaming corporations, delighting hundreds of millions of monthly active user with games like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Tony Hawke, Candy Crush, and more.   She shares her story—how her softspoken start in life as a self-described introvert evolved into finding her voice through her passion for DEI, and advocating for a sense of belonging. Tune in to hear her valuable insights on dealing with nerves surrounding public speaking, embarking on difficult conversations, and her unique approach to a respectful, empathetic, and  inclusive workplace.   Further, she describes how Consciously Unbiased DEIB learning experiences have helped her grow her DEIB efforts at her company and sparked change for the better. To learn more about our custom learning experiences you can check out our page here or send us a note here! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

In this episode, we're delighted to have the extraordinary Bea Arthur, a Columbia University-trained psychotherapist, award-winning entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and pioneer in the e-therapy space. As the first African-American female founder accepted by Y Combinator, Bea was named an Entrepreneur to Bet On by Newsweek Magazine and one of the 100 Most Inspirational New Yorkers by Bumble. She is the founder and CEO of The Difference, the first on-demand therapy service for in the moment issues. Bea takes us on a fascinating journey of resilience and transformation, from being a rebellious young person who got kicked out of school, to becoming an influential therapist and founder of a tech company. She shares candid narratives about her personal struggles, including clashes with authority and her journey towards embracing her blackness. Bea talks about navigating the tech industry as a black woman founder, dealing with VC funding challenges, and her innovative company - The Difference - that offers a unique form of therapy. We'll touch on topics of mental health stigma, the power of human connection, diversity and inclusion, and the importance of laughter as a form of relief. We hope you enjoy the show! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

In today's episode, we are privileged to have Dee Poku, the founder, and CEO of The WIE Suite, a marketer, community builder, and communication leader. Dee, who was born in the UK, but raised in London and Ghana, now raises her son in New York. She shares with us how the experience of straddling two different cultures growing up has significantly shaped her work today. Dee discusses the unique challenges women face in business, from feeling insecure as an entrepreneur to dealing with fewer opportunities and a perception of competition. She shares her personal journey and the mindset shift she had to make. From microaggressions in a predominantly white school to facing challenges as a woman of color in the fundraising process, Dee's experiences are undeniably valuable. She emphasizes the importance of women supporting each other in business, the power of personal stories in creating change, and the need to use one's platforms to uplift other women. So buckle up for this inspiring conversation with Dee Poku, whose story will have a profound impact on us all. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

Host, Bindu Lokre, sits down with Consciously Unbiased's Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Sara Munjack. They dive deep into the importance of understanding the "why" behind information, and how it can break biases and foster meaningful conversations. Sara shares her personal journey of questioning their own identity, the challenges of navigating different spaces and opinions, and the complexities of being mixed. They also discuss the impact of social media, the current crisis abroad, and how to respectfully disagree while respecting others. Tune in for an insightful discussion on conscious conversations, tools for productive communication, and the power of taking a pause in research and understanding. Plus, stay tuned for an inspiring poem by Hanif Abdurraqib and the inside scoop on a ground-breaking organization promoting meaningful dialogue, NewGround. So grab your headphones and get ready to break the bias! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

Host, Bindu Lokre, sits down with ⁠Reshma Saujani⁠, activist, author and movement builder. Reshma is the CEO and Founder of ⁠Moms First⁠, a national movement to expand choices for women, value mothers’ labor, and to remove barriers to equality. She is also the founder of ⁠Girls Who Code⁠, which aims to close the gender gap in tech.  Reshma is a powerful mobilizer, and, in this conversation, she shares how being bullied as a child because of the color of her skin was a catalyst for her to find her true calling of fighting for equality for all. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

If you’ve ever faced the challenge of having a difficult conversation at work, today’s episode of Breaking the Bias is for you. Consciously Unbiased founder Ashish Kaushal has a candid conversation with Quinne Teske, Global Director of DEI & Employee Experience at Allegis Global Solutions. The DEI leaders offer invaluable insights on having difficult conversations at work with a focus on empathy. Learn how to navigate workplace polarization, social media misinformation, and empowering quiet voices in meetings. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

In this episode of Breaking the Bias, Consciously Unbiased co-founder Bindu Lokre sat down in a studio in New York with special guest Aliza Licht, founder of Leave Your Mark and author of the amazing book On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception. They dive deep into the world of personal branding and overcoming fears. They also cover how to keep your job title from becoming your identity, why a career change starts with changing the way you think about yourself, and how identifying and understanding our fears is the first step to breaking through them to help grow your confidence at work. Get show notes at ConsciouslyUnbiased.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message

We’re shaking things up on this episode of Breaking the Bias by exploring issues surrounding mental health, motherhood and conscious communication. Consciously Unbiased co-founder Bindu Lokre sat down in a studio in New York with Sandrine Marlier, a meditation teacher, Reiki master practitioner, model and author of the new children’s book “Odette’s Alphabet,” a story about handling big emotions. Bindu and Sandrine keep it real by diving into Sandrine’s journey of the tools she uses to manage her anxiety and how to identify your triggers and create healthy boundaries. Their conversation also covers how Sandrine’s daughter inspired her to write a book about mindfulness for children, and the biggest lessons adults can also take away from the story. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consciously-unbiased/message