The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast

Hosted by Arquella Hargrove

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Jun 2025

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The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast facilitates DEIB-related conversations that are important for business leaders and owners who are committed to creating inclusive work cultures. Join Arquella Hargrove, Alchemy’s Chief Culture Officer, as she powers impactful conversations with guests who are experts in HR, Learning & Development, Executive Coaching, ESG, and Social Justice issues.

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28 recent

June 30, 2025Episode 2749 min

Addressing Toxic Workplace Cultures

The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast distills conversations with thought leaders to bring forth transformative insights and strategies Join Arquella Hargrove, Alchemy’s Chief Culture Officer for impactful conversations with business leaders and experts who are committed to transforming their work cultures and creating inclusive work environments. Let’s learn, develop, and garner best practices together. Let the Alchemy begin! Unfortunately, toxic workplaces are not new...but gone are the days when high performing employees will remain in organizations where the people culture is unhealthy, unsupportive, simply broken. Listen as Arquella talks with Dr. Porscha “Dr. PJ” Jackson, speaker, author, and business development expert. Dr. PJ’ s book, It's Me, Not You: How I Survived Toxic Work Environments, details her reflections her toxic work experiences and offers practical tips to handle and overcome toxic behaviors and environments. This conversation is one that everyone who has ever worked can relate to. So whether you are an employee trying to survive another day in a less-than-optimal work environment, or a business/HR Leader committed to creating a healthy environment where everyone feels valued and respected…. there are actionable takeaways for you.Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

June 6, 2025Episode 2643 min

Progress vs. Perfection!

The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast distills conversations with thought leaders to bring forth transformative insights and strategies Join Arquella Hargrove, Alchemy’s Chief Culture Officer for impactful conversations with business leaders and experts who are committed to transforming their work cultures and creating inclusive work environments. Let’s learn, develop, and garner best practices together. Let the Alchemy begin! This episode’s guest is truly a ‘unicorn’ in the HR profession. Listen as Arquella talks with Shamanda ‘Mandi’ Joseph, CEO & Founder of Tulip Advisory Pros., LLC. (When you hear Mandi explain why she chose the name Tulip, you will never think of the flower the same again.) Mandi is one of those rare HR professionals who combines her expertise in data analysis, employment law and employee relations to deliver holistic HR solutions to her clients. Mandi’s career journey will inspire those who are looking to dive deeper into their HR acumen, or those who are intending to create a career pivot. Mandi reminds us that we are all human, and it is ok to get stuck…but don’t say there. Be open to progress; don’t require perfection. Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

May 24, 2025Episode 2529 min

Career & Personal Passions Can Intersect for Good!

The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast distills conversations with thought leaders to bring forth transformative insights and strategies Join Arquella Hargrove, Alchemy’s Chief Culture Officer for impactful conversations with business leaders and experts who are committed to transforming their work cultures and creating inclusive work environments. Let’s learn, develop, and garner best practices together. Let the Alchemy begin! We have to live life with intention. There may not be enough hours in the day to focus on your career, family, and your service contributions to your community. Listen as Arquella talks with Courtney Taylor, SVP Community Development for Veritex Bank. Courtney has mastered the ability of maximizing how to utilize her job, professional gifts, and time to be a blessing to her community. We are also reminded how companies can support their employees by creating opportunities for them to give of their time and talents.Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

April 1, 2025Episode 2434 min

No Competency Check Required. We ARE Qualified!

There is a lot of focus on the words merit, performance and opportunity. We are all challenged, however, to rethink what we (as individuals and organizations) mean by merit. Listen as Arquella talks with Shari Dunn, Executive Consultant for ITBOM Training & Consulting, and author of the newly released book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work. Shari explores the myth of merit, which is not only about hiring, development and promotion…it also encapsulates who receives the benefit of the doubt in the workplace. Talent pipelines are not broken or empty; they are blocked by the misappropriation of merit. Shari also clarifies how competency checking is experienced, and give tips on the art of civil discourse. Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

March 21, 2025Episode 2326 min

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Leaders are the carriers of culture. The culture of any organization is the reflection of its leaders’ commitment to the mission and to their people. What does love have to do with leadership acumen? Listen as Arquella talks with Dr. Queinnese Miller (Dr. Q), international speaker, transformational coach, caring consultant, and proud mom! Dr. Q reminds us that love is the driving force for all success, and goes further to illustrate the intersection of love, leadership, and the workplace. Dr. Q also gives the gift of the acronym JUST CARE, which provides helpful reminders for the tenants of a leadership style powered by love.Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

March 3, 2025Episode 2229 min

CSR, Inclusion & Sustainability Are Interwoven for Good

Staying mission-drive and people-focused is important during times of change and transformation. Listen as Arquella talks with Gwen Turner, Vice President of Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) for Myriad Genetics. Gwen discusses the connective tissue between CSR, Inclusion, and Sustainability, and how they are interwoven to create a path forward for high-performing people cultures. Gwen also shares best practices on how her organization encourages civil, courageous conversations during times when our differences seem to overtake our similarities.Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

November 24, 2024Episode 2131 min

Joanna Cooper

Often the topic of core values is connected to an organization or company. Establishing a set of personal core values is just as important as setting career and personal goals or creating a vision board. Listen as Arquella talks with Joanna Cooper, General Manager for Daimler Truck North America. To say that Joanna is a Renaissance Woman is an understatement! She is a native of Detroit, (proudly!) public school educated, a former basketball player and coach, and cellist a who traveled the world. Fortunately for Joanna, her leadership trajectory included role models with whom she could identify and emulate. During this season of her life, Joanna is guided by her personal set of core values, which she refers to as A.C.T.I.V.E. These values serve as a litmus test for how she invests in relationships and lives a balanced, integrated life. As we look forward to 2025, we should all consider establishing a personal core value system. Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

November 16, 2024Episode 2052 min

Houston Zoo Leaders

The Houston Zoo has long been a beacon of hope and light for its community. The mission and vision of the Zoo is to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife and to be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. The Zoo is equally as passionate about its care for its employees and guests which is manifested in it I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) efforts. Listen as Arquella talks with a powerhouse HR trio: Kristin Finney, Chief Human Resources Officer, Dr. Taylor Gilley, Manager for Staff Learning & Development, and Teaera Radick, Director of Human Resources. This team chronicles their powerful I.D.E.A. journey, reflecting on the highlights while candidly sharing the challenges and commitment to continuous improvements. These leaders implore us to stay the course on our DEIA efforts…now is not the time to stop or slow down. Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

November 7, 2024Episode 199 min

The Equity Reimagined Series- Tia B. Coachman

For three days, a powerhouse group of women, from all over the US, representing various industries and leadership positions, gathered in Southern California to have insightful, in-depth conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion…and how to shed labels and old ways of thinking…to create new…new workplaces, new communities that reflect a future that so many of us believe for. This episode is a part of what we will call the Equity Reimagined series, as it features a leader who attended the conference, a leader with passion, grit, and determination to evolve and transform cultures. This woman is fire, and her stories will embolden you! Tia B. Coachman is the Founder & CEO of Affirma Consultancy. Her expertise as a leadership coach is woven into the tapestry of her life purpose. At the core of her work, she coaches leaders to make positive changes on the inside, so that they experience what they desire on the outside. Among Tia’s superpowers are her ability to mirror the energy of those with whom she is interacting and she a champion for those not in the room, or with a seat at the table. At Equity Reimagined, Tia led an inspirational session on the power in our names. There is meaning in everyone’s name. Do you know your name’s meaning? Are you using that connection to bring clarity to the impact you can make in our world? After listening, let us know how you ‘reimagine equity.’ Let the Alchemy begin!

October 30, 2024Episode 1815 min

The Equity Reimagined Series -Kelli Houston

Recently, Arquella Hargrove partnered with April Allen and Shawna Unger of Allen & Unger to create the Equity Reimagined experience. For three days, a powerhouse group of women, from all over the US, representing various industries and leadership positions, gathered in Southern California to have insightful, in-depth conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion…and how to shed labels and old ways of thinking…to create new…new workplaces, new communities that reflect a future that so many of us believe for. This episode is a part of what we will call the Equity Reimagined series, as it features a leader who attended the conference, a leader with passion, grit, and determination to evolve and transform cultures. This woman is fire, and her stories will embolden you! Kelli Houston is a former stand-up comedian who now serves as the Chief Equity Officer for Community Health Plan of Washington. Kelli’s work is more than her vocation, it is her life purpose. In her leadership role, Kelli is a powerhouse strategist who leverages her healthy sense of humor to help people feel more comfortable making positive contributions to DEI work. You would never guess that she is a podcast newbie based on the warmth and ease she exhibits in our conversation. Kelli’s bright smile lights up the room…and even comes across in the audio recording. You are going to want to hear more from Kelli; and we hope that she will record with the ACG Podcast again soon! After listening, let us know how you ‘reimagine equity.’ Let the Alchemy begin!