10 episodes

The Way We Lead (TWWL) is a podcast about what it means to be a leader, an ally and an advocate for underrepresented folks. We feature real-world stories of inclusive leadership and allyship and highlight folks across industries, titles, and identities who use their influence to raise others up. Join us as we dig deep on topics of identity, power, and privilege and hopefully grow as allies in the process. Heads up: we do curse occasionally. 🤷 Some research says it means we're intelligent, but we mostly do it because we're being our full authentic selves and don't want to filter our thoughts on these topics.

The Way We Lead | An Inclusive Leadership Podcast The Way We Lead

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 32 Ratings

The Way We Lead (TWWL) is a podcast about what it means to be a leader, an ally and an advocate for underrepresented folks. We feature real-world stories of inclusive leadership and allyship and highlight folks across industries, titles, and identities who use their influence to raise others up. Join us as we dig deep on topics of identity, power, and privilege and hopefully grow as allies in the process. Heads up: we do curse occasionally. 🤷 Some research says it means we're intelligent, but we mostly do it because we're being our full authentic selves and don't want to filter our thoughts on these topics.

    S1E10 Developing Social Justice Curriculum for Schools with Kathy Lebrón

    S1E10 Developing Social Justice Curriculum for Schools with Kathy Lebrón

    How do we ensure that all students feel seen and affirmed, no matter their identity? Founder of the Radical Maestra, Kathy Lebrón is on a mission to help educators, families, and students use education as a vehicle for healing and liberation. In this episode, Kathy provides tangible tools for teachers who want to invest in their own professional development around the topic of power, privilege, antiracism, and restorative justice. She also explains how educators can intentionally weave social justice curriculum into the classroom for students of all ages. 
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    • 48 min
    S1E9: Using Bravery as a Tool to Empower Women and Girls with Reshma Saujani

    S1E9: Using Bravery as a Tool to Empower Women and Girls with Reshma Saujani

    In this week's episode, Gaby and Jenelle meet their shero, Reshma Saujani who is an award-winning Founder and CEO of national nonprofit Girls Who Code and author of the book “Brave, Not Perfect,” which transformed both of their lives. 

    In fact, the book was so impactful on them that they both got "Brave, Not Perfect" tattoos to remind them that failure is merely a stepping stone to success. 

    If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, feared risk-taking, or felt marred with perfectionism, then this episode is for you! 
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    • 35 min
    S1E8: Advocating for Minority Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

    S1E8: Advocating for Minority Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

    If we want to be inclusive leaders at work and in our communities, we also need to be allies and advocates for those who experience mental illness.

    In this episode, we are joined by two guest experts and advocates who are using nontraditional means to raise mental health awareness. First, we hear from Dr. Jonathan Singer, Associate Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and President of the American Association of Suicidology who leverages social media to make suicide and mental health research accessible. Next, we connect with Dior Vargas, a Latina Feminist Mental Health Activist who is working to make mental illness awareness more inclusive through a grassroots initiative called the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project.

    Want more behind the scenes materials? Sign up for our newsletter on our website https://www.thewaywelead.com/. 



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    • 1 hr 4 min
    S1E7: Prevent “Diversity Debt” By Weaving Inclusion Into Your Startup Strategy with Kellie Wagner

    S1E7: Prevent “Diversity Debt” By Weaving Inclusion Into Your Startup Strategy with Kellie Wagner

    Many companies wait until their business hits a period of high-growth or experiences a significant retention issue before investing in diversity and inclusion strategies, but startups can’t afford to treat D&I as an afterthought. We’re joined this week by Kellie Wagner, founder of Collective, a diversity and inclusion consultancy and research lab shifting how companies grow, engage, and retain diverse teams. Kellie outlines proactive tips that every business should use to avoid the pitfalls of what she calls “diversity debt.” We talk about managing across difference and discuss minimizing bias in the workplace by building operationalized processes for hiring, performance reviews and promotions. 
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    • 50 min
    S1E6: Increasing Representation in the Film Industry with Cha Quallis

    S1E6: Increasing Representation in the Film Industry with Cha Quallis

    It’s so important for young people to have diverse role models in every field. This rings true to our most recent guest Charnelle “Cha” Quallis, who joins us to discuss diversifying the film industry, especially in the editor's room. While there is a recent proliferation of female editors in both fiction and non-fiction storytelling, the industry continues to lack representation from female editors of color. We talk about why we need more diverse decision-makers in the film industry, the importance of championing young talented editors of color, and we begin to tease apart some of the pervasive diversity challenges that continue to afflict Hollywood.


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    • 47 min
    S1E5: Building Access To Higher Education with Admissions Community Cultivating Equity and Peace Today (ACCEPT)

    S1E5: Building Access To Higher Education with Admissions Community Cultivating Equity and Peace Today (ACCEPT)

    People are most effective when they can influence their immediate sphere. This week’s guests, Marie Bigham and Steve Frappier focus on removing barriers in a field they've dedicated their lives to over the last two decades: post-secondary education. In 2016, they were part of a small group that launched ACCEPT (Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today), a nonprofit organization that empowers college admissions professionals to center justice, equity, and anti-racism in their work and communities. This episode is chock-full of learnings on the hidden superpower of being multiracial, how to practice cultural humility, and how to build meaningful and active communities who advocate for equity and access.

    For more, check out S1E5 episode notes for full speaker bios, episode highlights, links to references, and for a fully accessible interview transcript.

    Want more behind the scenes materials? Sign up for our newsletter on our website here. 
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    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
32 Ratings

32 Ratings

Listener_12345 ,

Come for the diversity discussion, stay for the marriage advice!

Gaby and Jenelle are so insightful and this podcast is exactly what the world needs more of. I am endlessly impressed with their ability to approach everything with kindness and an open mind. Each episode has takeaways I can reflect on in my own interactions with strangers, co-workers and even close personal relationships.

Fhurcvj ,

Challenge and Change

Hosts and guests discuss experiences and challenges navigating their professional/academic/social lives and what it means to be allies for underrepresented people/groups in those environments. Listen for new perspectives and to challenge your own way of thinking!

delanyewestt ,

Refreshing and inspiring new podcast

Jenelle and Gaby are both very intelligent and self aware of their life experiences and how it relates to their ability to be better allies and inclusive leaders in their community. It’s refreshing to hear from two strong women who are open to not only teaching others to be better allies but also open to learning from others on how they can be more impactful leaders.

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