Find partners
Biz & Tech Podcasts — Collaboration Platform
Menu
Submit Podcast
Our Voices Matter Podcast

Our Voices Matter Podcast

Hosted by Linda Lorelle

BusinessSocietyCultureNewsCommentary
WebsiteRSS feedX / Twitter

Episodes

13

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Our stories have the power to bring us closer together, if only we will listen. Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, intimate conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.

Listen to episodes

13 recent
May 5, 202657 min

How Political Divisions Lead a Brother to Reach Out to His Sister Through This Podcast

This is the story of a self-described Mitt Romney Republican who voted for Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, wrote in Paul Ryan, and voted for Donald Trump. Do I have your attention?More so than almost any other conversation I've brought you in the last seven and half years, this one embodies the core mission of Our Voices Matter.I ask that you give my guest permission to speak his truth, and that you have the courage to listen with an open mind. In doing so, my bet is that by the end of our conversation, you will find at least one thing you have in common with him. That is my goal.Terrence Keeley made his mark in the financial world as Managing Director & Global Head of BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, for more than 12 years.He was a senior financial advisor to the Vatican under Pope Francis; he now runs two financial services firms, Impact Evaluation Lab and 1Point Six; and he's a devout Catholic with seven siblings.Several of them are currently not speaking to him. "How could you have?" is the question now routinely making its way into the family group chat.The estrangement from his sister, Michelle, is hitting him especially hard. Their respective views of the killing of Renée Good has torn them apart. It is one of the reasons Terry wanted to do this podcast interview. To talk about how the political divisions in the country have permeated throughout his family -- and so many other families across our nation. To explore a nuanced conversation about a variety of hot button issues, including how to disagree without demonizing the other person. To let his siblings know how much he loves them -- and help us all remember and reconnect with our shared humanity.Truthfully, it would have been difficult for me to have this conversation a few years ago. I still have lots of room for improvement, but through more than 150 conversations on this podcast, and my work as Co-founder of Civil Dialogues, I'm getting better at doing this.Like anything else, it requires practice. Sometimes we stumble and fall short, but the more we do it, the better we get.At times you will hear each of us struggling to choose our words. And just so you know, nothing has been edited out.This is Terry and Linda wading into the muck and coming out on the other side in one piece.From ICE and immigration to Trump and Pope Leo, no topic was off limits.I urge you to watch or listen to the very end, especially if you are estranged from someone close to you. Michelle, this one's for you.

October 29, 202538 min

How Courage, Curiosity & Compassion Can Lead Us Out of the Chaos

Do you find yourself asking the question “How did we get here?”Here’s another question for you: “What does it take to understand the behaviors that got us into this mess?”Regular listeners of Our Voices Matter will likely conclude that the mess I’m referring to is the chaos, anxiety, and division in our country. And I am.But that’s not necessarily what this week’s guest had in mind when she explored those same questions in her new book.Tricia Brouk is an an award-winning director, producer, podcaster, and author, now releasing her third book, “Being Smart Is Stupid.”The book’s intention is to help leaders in the workplace understand how an ego-driven approach leads to toxic cultures, burned-out teams, and unsustainable success.Brouk nails it, sharing tools along the way to embrace an alternative leadership style that leads to better outcomes for everyone.But the more I read, the more I realized how the nuggets of wisdom revealed in the book apply far beyond corporate boardrooms.Toxic cultures can be found anywhere. A board room. A city council. A neighborhood association. A family. A country.The root of the toxicity is often traced back to the leader.What if your leadership style swapped being smart for being wise?Seeking connection rather than feeding your ego?What if you tapped into your Buddha nature?And before you react and say this is all woo-woo, take a beat.That’s actually one of the tenets of Buddhism, as Brouk so aptly explains based on her lifelong practice of Buddhism, and her implementation of its principles to help leaders find a more thoughtful approach to sustained success.I have to say this is one of my favorite episodes ever, partly because Tricia and I had so much fun talking about all the things we have in common.But the main reason I love this episode is because I think it can truly be helpful to each and every one of us at this precise moment.Whether you’re a leader navigating a challenging scenario in the workplace, a family member dreading the Thanksgiving dinner conversation, or an anxiety-ridden citizen, like me, trying to find joy in the midst of seismic chaos, this episode is for you.Watch or listen, and then do yourself a favor and buy the book.

August 8, 202545 min

Why Donald Graham is Championing Undocumented Students - Donald Graham

Most people know Donald Graham as the former publisher of the Washington Post. These days he is Chairman Emeritus of Graham Holdings, a conglomerate whose operations include online, print and local TV news, among many other sectors.He is also Co-founder of TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college scholarship provider to undocumented students.When the state of Texas recently announced a requirement for all public colleges and universities to identify undocumented students, I figured Graham would have some thoughts on the subject.I was right.He readily agreed to an interview which was conducted August 6th on Substack Live. This podcast is a recording of that interview.It’s part of a weekly segment called “All Eyes on Texas”, highlighting issues at the forefront in the Lone Star state that often have national repercussions.With the non-stop news generated by the Trump administration 2.0, it’s easy for important topics to get lost in the shuffle.This one is too important to overlook, and after listening to this conversation, I think you’ll understand why.

June 26, 20251 hr 4 min

Constitutional Crisis? How to Get Your Questions Answered

Keeping up with the Trump administration 2.0 is like drinking from a firehose.From dropping bombs on Iran — without Congress weighing in — to mass deportations by masked ICE agents, to DOGE taking a chainsaw to federal institutions — it’s a lot.A looming, ever present question: is any of it constitutional?Our first attempt at answering this question took place at a Civil Dialogues town hall in St. Louis, MO on March 6, 2025.Today’s podcast moves that conversation forward with two of the panelists, Jay Sexton, Director of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, and Steve Davis, senior legal fellow at Pacific Legal Foundation and member of the Federalist Society.This was recorded the day before the U.S. joined Israel in its war against Iran.Engage in Civil Dialogue With UsAfter watching or listening to this episode, we hope you’ll join us for the next installment of “The People, The President & The Constitution: Your Questions Answered” on July 22nd.That same topic was so well received in St. Louis that we’ve decided to take it on the road to as many cities as will have us. Next stop, the Kansas City Public Library.We’ll talk about what’s happening in real time, how and why Americans must engage with each other and in our democracy, and the steps to move forward together for the future of the country. And, of course, we’ll address as many of your questions as possible.Jay Sexton returns as a panelist, along with Kathy Kiely, veteran journalist and professor at the University of Missouri.They’ll be joined by Woody Cozad, attorney and former chair of the Missouri Republican Party, and Quinn Sheppard, a 2024 summa cum laude Mizzou graduate with degrees in Constitutional Democracy and History.My Civil Dialogues co-founder, Jean Becker, will provide historical perspective, I will moderate the panel, and together we’ll facilitate audience Q&A.The town hall takes place at 6pm CST on July 22nd at the Kansas City Public Library. Register here. If you can’t attend in person, a live stream will also be available at CivilDialogues.us.Why Partnerships MatterJean and I could not do this work without the support of our partners. Thank you to the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy and the Kansas City Public Library for hosting our upcoming event. This is likely the first in a series of town halls we will do at the KCPL. Stay tuned for more on that.A big thanks to Missouri Humanities for hosting our St. Louis event. If you missed it, watch the recording here. It’s well worth your time.We’d love to take our road show to your part of the country. If you’re interested in partnering or you have a good lead for us, please reach out here.Finally, If you haven’t already, please opt-in to stay up to date on all things Civil Dialogues, subscribe to the podcast on Substack, share it with your friends, and let us know your thoughts and ideas. We want to hear from you.Your voice matters. Especially now…www.ourvoicesmatterpodcast.comwww.lorellemedia.comCivil DialoguesThis podcast is devoted to empowering us all to better understand each other's differences...one story at a time. Emmy Award-winning journalist, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, unexpected conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics per se; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.

February 28, 202524 min

How to Navigate America's Constitutional Crisis

Government institutions dismantled. Federal workers fired by the thousands. The threat of mass deportations now reality. And the laws of the land now challenged by the president empowered with upholding them.No surprise that Trump 2.0 has anxious Americans seeking clarity on the U.S. Constitution and its role in shaping our nation’s future.On Thursday evening, March 6th, a national Civil Dialogues town hall will seek to provide some clarity as you are invited to voice your questions and concerns in a safe space, without judgment.If you’re new to the Civil Dialogues community, you can check out our backstory here. It’s basically an extension and an expansion of the core mission of Our Voices Matter. Important conversations that remind us of our common humanity.Today’s episode previews the conversation we’ll have at the .Zack Theatre in St. Louis, MO from 6 pm – 8 pm CST on March 6th. Livestream will also be available on YouTube and Facebook.My Civil Dialogues co-founder, Jean Becker, joins me as today’s guest and future co-host as the year unfolds. Jean was chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush.Going forward we will bring you deeper dives into the topics we cover at Civil Dialogues town halls across the country, including interviews with thought leaders, newsmakers and experts who can help us navigate the chaos.Our panelists for the upcoming March 6th event exemplify the diverse voices you can expect: Jay Sexton, Director of the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy; Kathy Kiely, veteran reporter and Lee Hills Chair in Free-Press Studies at the University of Missouri; Stephen Davis, Contributor at the Federalist Society and Senior Legal Fellow at Pacific Legal Foundation; and Abby Ramirez, MU Senior majoring in Constitutional Democracy and Journalism. One thing to note: you will never see a sitting, elected official on our panels. They have the bully pulpit. Our forum aims to elevate the voices of the rest of us.That includes you. If you haven’t already, please opt-in to stay up to date on all things Civil Dialogues, subscribe to the podcast on Substack, and share your thoughts and ideas with us. We want to hear from you.We are grateful to the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy and Missouri Humanities for partnering with us for this first Civil Dialogues event of 2025.If you happen to be in the St. Louis area, please register here to join us in person. If not, join the livestream on YouTube or Facebook.Let your voice be heard. It matters.Civil Dialogues Town HallDeeper Dive PodcastsJoin Us

November 10, 202445 min

How Americans Fearing the Second Trump Presidency are Planning to Emigrate

Now that we know who will occupy the White House for the next four years, the interest in emigrating from the US has skyrocketed. According to Reuters, Google searches for “move to Canada” surged 1,270% in the 24 hours after the polls closed on the East Coast Tuesday. Similar searches about moving to New Zealand climbed nearly 2,000% while those for Australia jumped 820%. And a former guest on Our Voices Matter has received so many inquiries for help about navigating the emigration process, she’s planning a LinkedIn Live event to answer them all. Elizabeth Silleck LaRue and her husband emigrated from the US to Mexico in late 2022. She is white. He is Black. They were tired of feeling unwelcome in their own country, so they left in search of peace and autonomy. The transition was not easy, but they have never regretted their decision. Especially now. If you’re thinking of leaving the US to live in another country and want to know what it’s like, you might consider joining Liz’s LinkedIn Live this Monday, November 11th at 1pm CST. In the meantime, take a moment to watch or listen to her story. It’s one you won’t forget. Search for Peace and Autonomy

September 12, 202439 min

Why All Voices Matter in the Energy Transition - Theo Wilson

Civil Dialogues was honored to host our first town hall on energy at the opening ceremonies of Houston Energy and Climate Week on September 9, 2024. “We need to fight the changing climate, not each other.  We respect democracy, civil dialogue, diverse ideas, productivity, and pragmatism. ” That part of HECW’s Unity Commitment, guiding the week’s events, is in perfect alignment with the mission of Civil Dialogues and this podcast. And so is the ethos of this week’s guest, Theo E.J. Wilson, climate activist, actor, entrepreneur, poet, and host of “I Was There” on the History Channel. His TED Talk on race in America has been viewed 18 million times. After meeting and interviewing him on the panel, I needed more time to explore his provocative perspectives. So I invited him to keep the conversation going and share it with all of you. From climate justice to going undercover in the Alt-Right movement to the art of having a civil dialogue, nothing was off limits. This is one you don’t want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Voices Matter Podcast02:04 Theo Wilson: Activism Through Art 03:50 Undercover in the Alt-Right Movement12:13 The Importance of Inclusive Dialogue18:43 Facing Environmental Injustice24:12 Understanding Fear and Hatred32:12 The Vision for Rebirth Earth

August 21, 20241 hr 4 min

How to Have a Civil Dialogue About Race - Todd Levinson and André Thomas

In recent weeks, the topic of race surfaced in a particularly ugly manner when former President Donald Trump said Vice President Kamala Harris “happened to turn black.” First of all, that’s not a thing. That being said, it did get the nation talking once again about that dreaded topic at the core of so much that ails us, but we refuse to confront openly and honestly. What would happen if we did? Healing Race Todd Levinson and André Thomas decided to find out. Todd and André were freshmen roommates at Stanford back in the day. Todd is white. André is black. In 25 years of knowing each other, they never discussed race. Until one day, they decided to not only talk about it, but seriously unpack it — in a podcast they call “Healing Race.” No question is off limits. The only expectation is the intention to listen and learn, in an effort to truly understand each other’s perspectives. Civil Dialogues When I learned of the podcast, I knew I wanted to have them on the show because their mission perfectly aligns with the mission of Civil Dialogues, the new democracy initiative I co-founded with Jean Becker. You can check out the InstaLive we did a couple of months back from the office of President George H.W. Bush, and learn more about the initiative here, including how to partner with us to host a town hall. As we travel the country, we are engaging with Americans who are eager to have a civil dialogue about difficult topics. Race certainly fits that description. We haven’t tackled that yet in one of our town halls, but we will. In the meantime, let André and Todd show you the way. This is how to have a civil dialogue about race. www.ourvoicesmatterpodcast.com www.lorellemedia.com This podcast is devoted to empowering us all to better understand each other's differences...one story at a time. Emmy Award-winning journalist, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, unexpected conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics per se; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.

April 2, 2024Episode 342 min

Why Aging Became a Dirty Word and How to Reclaim It - Karen Walrond

As a child, I counted the days until my next birthday. Most of us did, tired of hearing “you’re not old enough to do that.” Then we hit a certain age, and all we want to do is roll back the clock. Pursue youth at all costs. Why is that? Who decided that young is good and old is bad? Why have we internalized it to our own detriment? And how do we reclaim aging as a positive force in our lives? My guest this week answers those questions and more in her brilliant new book, Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell.“ And she does it based on research. A Familiar Voice Karen Walrond is familiar to the Our Voices Matter community. The attorney turned leadership coach, turned activist and author has helped thousands around the world find purpose and meaning in their lives. She has shared her insight and wisdom on Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast, on the Oprah Winfrey Show , PBS, the Huffington Post and CNN.com. And lucky us, she has graced Our Voices Matter with her penetrating perspective in previous episodes where we discussed her book, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change without Losing Your Joy. And another episode when her daughter, Alex, joined us in conversation. And now, this episode. Like a parent who is asked “which child is your favorite”, I’d give the safe answer – I love them all equally. But truth be told — this one is my favorite. Liberating I found this conversation — and her book — to be liberating. When you listen, you’ll understand what I mean. Ageism is real. It permeates every aspect of our lives, forcing others’s unwanted perspectives on our value as humans. And there’s a special brand of this reserved for women. Well, I don’t know about you but I’ve had it. I’m done. I am reclaiming my aging. I urge you to do the same. Because our broken world needs all that each of us has to give, and that capacity doesn’t end when we hit the arbitrary age of 65. Indeed, for many of us, it’s just beginning. Would love to know how you feel about this topic. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn and share your thoughts. I can’t wait to continue this conversation with you. www.ourvoicesmatterpodcast.com www.lorellemedia.com This podcast is devoted to empowering us all to better understand each other's differences...one story at a time. Emmy Award-winning journalist, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, unexpected conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics per se; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.

March 6, 2024Episode 246 min

How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future - Denise Hamilton

As American school children, we learned it by heart, and recited it every day. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” But how often did we then, and do we now, think about the meaning behind the words? “…one nation. Under God. Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Indivisible What does it mean to be indivisible? It’s a question Denise Hamilton explores with intelligence, empathy and disarming approachability in her groundbreaking debut as an author. “Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future” grabs you by the throat on page one of the Prologue, and doesn’t let you go. Through deft storytelling, research and personal reflection, Hamilton challenges us to re-think what it means to build diversity and inclusion in a polarized world where the words and the concepts are increasingly demonized. It’s Not About a Checklist Hamilton is a nationally recognized workplace culture and DEI expert, and CEO of WatchHerWork, a digital learning platform for professional women. She has helped hundreds of companies recognize that meeting their DEI goals, if they still have them, is not about a checklist. It’s about helping organizations figure out what their guiding principles are — and whether they choose to act on them. It’s about maximizing the gifts of everyone involved so that they and the organization can thrive. Beyond the Workplace What’s so powerful about Hamilton’s approach is that it applies far beyond the workplace into every aspect of our relationships, both professional and personal. The book is chock full of examples that allow you to see yourself in a given scenario, and then challenges you to re-examine your beliefs. It reveals the power within each of us to enact positive change, and gives us the tools to do so. Denise is a return guest who first shared her thoughtful perspective with the OVM community shortly after we launched. We couldn’t be more proud to have Denise back to share her powerful new book. It’s exactly what we need to help unify our fractured world. www.ourvoicesmatterpodcast.com www.lorellemedia.com This podcast is devoted to empowering us all to better understand each other's differences...one story at a time. Emmy Award-winning journalist, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, unexpected conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics per se; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

One moment, please...

BusinessInvesting

One moment, please...

Business

Swallow Your Pride Podcast

BusinessCareersInterviews guests

One moment, please...

Business

One moment, please...

Business
MACRA

MACRA

MACRA Website

Business