DEI After 5 with Sacha

Hosted by The work doesn’t end at 5pm—and neither do we.

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Jun 2026

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About the show

DEI After 5 is where inclusion meets real life. Hosted by Sacha Thompson, this weekly podcast explores how current events shape our workplaces and communities—with practical insights and honest reflection. deiafter5.substack.com

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53 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 2824 min

Building Resilience in Hard Times: Self-Care, Community, and Moving Forward

When life feels heavy or uncertain, resilience is not just about pushing through alone. It is about finding your village, caring for yourself, and creating the support systems that help you keep moving.In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Shazad Carbaidwala, an experienced coach, leader, speaker, and former SAP professional based in the Chicagoland area. Shazad shares lessons from his career, coaching work, and service in law enforcement to explore what it really takes to stay grounded during adversity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

June 9, 2026Episode 2716 min

Information Overload and DEI: Critical Thinking, Coalitions, and Systemic Change (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Stacey Gordon. In this episode, we zoom out to the bigger issue: the systems people have been naming for decades—and why this moment feels louder, messier, and harder to navigate.We talk about how increased access to information has raised awareness, but also created an environment where misinformation spreads fast and people struggle to separate truth from narrative. We also connect the dots to workplace realities—pay disparity, the value of institutional knowledge, retention, and why DEI practitioners can’t do this work in silos. Coalitions matter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

June 2, 2026Episode 2720 min

DEI Backlash and Corporate Authenticity

A lot of organizations didn’t suddenly “get tired” of DEI—many were fatigued long before 2020, then sprinted to copy what competitors were doing. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with inclusive leadership expert Stacey Gordon about what’s real, what’s performative, and how leaders build equitable practices that actually hold up under pressure.We discuss DEI fatigue, corporate inauthenticity, values vs. imitation, and the hidden systems—like cronyism dressed up as meritocracy—that keep inequity in place. You’ll also hear practical guidance on talent decisions, hiring, and leadership accountability. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

May 26, 2026Episode 2630 min

Resetting Boundaries: Self-Care and Burnout in the Age of Overwhelm

When the world feels nonstop, self-care can’t just be bubble baths and “take a break” advice—it has to include boundaries, community, and a realistic way to keep going without losing yourself. In this episode, Sacha reconnects with therapist and social justice advocate Ashley McGirt for a grounded conversation about exhaustion, advocacy, and what it actually looks like to reset.Ashley shares lessons from her work in community advocacy (including serving as a health chair with the NAACP), her experiences traveling to over 60 countries, and a powerful story that connects resilience to the treacherous journey of sea turtles. Along the way, we talk about communication boundaries, building a culture of care, and small practices that help you stay human in chaotic times. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

May 19, 202626 min

Conversations at Home Are Essential: Teaching Children to Question, Care, and See the Full Story

Parenting right now can feel like trying to protect your kids from the world and prepare them for it at the same time. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Pooja Kothari about how parents can navigate today’s global and national issues without fear-based messaging—by building critical thinking, media literacy, and the habit of questioning assumptions.Pooja shares her journey from public defender at the Legal Aid Society in Brooklyn to becoming an anti-oppression facilitator. Together, they unpack how oppressive language shows up in systems (including the legal system), how it shapes power dynamics, and what parents can do to notice what we unconsciously perpetuate—at home, in school conversations, and in community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

May 12, 2026Episode 2236 min

Psychological Safety in the Workplace

In this episode, we are sharing the Fully Flavored Business Podcast episode, in which co-founders Lace Flowers and Sutton McCraney welcome Sacha Thompson, a leadership development strategist and founder of the Equity Equation. Sacha shares her insights on building psychologically safe, high-performing workplace cultures and the importance of inclusion in organizational settings. She discusses her journey in the equity and inclusion space, highlighting the necessity of having willing participants for successful initiatives. Tune in to explore meaningful conversations around human-centered leadership and workplace culture, and discover how Sacha’s work is making a difference in the community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

May 5, 2026Episode 2122 min

Detoxing Your Mind: The Importance of Quality Sleep in Wellness

In this episode of DEI After Five, we continue our insightful conversation with wellness coach KutiMack, diving deep into the crucial topic of sleep and its significance for overall wellness. The discussion highlights the modern struggle of feeling numb to stress and anxiety due to the normalization of these feelings in our daily lives. Kuti emphasizes the body’s remarkable adaptability and resilience, while warning against the dangers of frequently testing our limits. Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights and practical tips on how to prioritize sleep and manage stress effectively. Tune in for this enlightening part two! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

April 28, 2026Episode 2021 min

Hemp vs. Marijuana Explained: Jobs, Policy Shifts, and Inclusion in Cannabis

The cannabis industry is growing—but most people are still confused about the basics: hemp vs. marijuana, what’s legal where, and what opportunities are actually emerging for jobs, entrepreneurship, and inclusive access. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Nicole Vanderhorst, CEO & Founder of W.H. Farms Co. (North Carolina), about building a vertically integrated botanical manufacturing business rooted in the industrial hemp sector.We break down the real-world landscape of cannabis in the U.S., how policy shifts shape the market, and why manufacturing and workforce pathways matter—especially for communities that have historically been excluded from opportunity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

April 21, 202615 min

Dear Colleague Letter Explained: What It Did to DEI and Student Support

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that signaled aggressive enforcement around race-conscious programs—sparking widespread fear, fast policy changes, and real disruption across higher education. In this episode, we break down what that guidance set in motion, how it impacted student support and campus trust, and what student-centered leadership looks like when institutions are under pressure.We also discuss what happened next: federal judges blocked enforcement of key directives in April 2025, and later developments (including the government dropping its appeal) left the guidance effectively dead—but not before many campuses had already made changes and absorbed damage. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

April 14, 202639 min

How to Create Good Relationships with Your Team Members

In this podcast swap episode of the Improve Work Podcast, host Daniela Tancau welcomes Sacha Thompson, founder of Equity Equation, to explore how team leaders can enhance their relationships with team members. The conversation delves into essential leadership skills, approaches to managing both their own emotions and those of their team, and the importance of trust in fostering a healthy workplace culture. Sacha shares her expertise in building inclusive environments and fostering psychological safety, offering listeners practical insights to improve their leadership effectiveness. Tune in for valuable strategies to elevate your team dynamics and create a more motivated, high-performing environment. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe