The Intersection

Hosted by Nancy Harris

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139

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Sep 2025

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About the show

If you and your organization are ready to do the work, it’s time to take action, and on The Intersection Podcast, we’re going to be wrestling with the HOW of creating a company culture that truly embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. There are three key principles we’re going to be using on this journey: Educate - better leaders are more informed and aware. Act - You need community and support as you create change in the workplace. Change - you're going to see the fruits of your labor and create sustainable change. You can’t do this work alone and no one else can do it for you. Let’s do it together. This is The Intersection Podcast, and I’m going to be talking to experts from across industries to find out how they’re changing their workplaces and creating cultures where everyone can thrive. Learn more about Nancy Harris and how to create change in your workplace at RestartConsult.com.

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60 recent

September 24, 2025Episode 13748 min

The Hiring Crisis No One Wants to Talk About

The job market feels broken—and it’s failing both job seekers and hiring teams.Job seekers are exhausted: pouring energy into applications, only to be met with silence.Hiring teams are overwhelmed: sorting through endless resumes, yet still struggling to find the right fit.Something has to change.In this special edition of The Intersection, I speak with Ify Walker, Founder & CEO of Offor, for a candid conversation about why traditional hiring isn’t working—and what leaders can do differently.You’ll hear insights on:Why trust-based, referral-only hiring is gaining tractionHow to network without the awkwardnessWhen to hire vs. when to invest in your current teamIf you’ve ever felt the frustration of trying to hire—or be hired—this episode will resonate.Resources:Connect with Ify Walker on LinkedInFollow Offor on LinkedinConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

August 27, 2025Episode 13642 min

What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

This episode is part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, celebrating our most downloaded conversations that are shaping leadership. We are joined by Dr. Ahmmad Brown, scholar-practitioner and expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In this episode, Dr. Brown shares practical frameworks for navigating challenging DEI conversations in today’s complex workplace environments.Tune in for a practical conversation about effectively communicating DEI, fostering organizational change and empowering leaders to engage authentically.Resources:Connect with Ahmmad Brown on LinkedInEquity Based Dialogue for Inclusion (EBDI)Connect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

August 13, 2025Episode 13533 min

Why Curiosity Is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill You Have

This week on The Intersection Podcast, I’m joined by Suzanne Jakstavich — Chief People Officer, executive coach, and longtime champion for equity and inclusion. Suzanne’s career journey, shaped by her upbringing and early experiences, fueled a deep commitment to building people-first workplaces..Suzanne shares how leaders can foster psychological safety, lead with curiosity, and model vulnerability in ways that ripple through entire organizations. We explore the shifting challenges facing leaders today, from managing a five-generation workforce to navigating blurred lines between work and life, and the critical role of allyship in creating inclusive cultures.Suzanne also opens up about the messy, real-life balance of leading, parenting, and showing up authentically. This conversation is rich with practical wisdom for leaders committed to creating workplaces where people can thrive.Because leadership isn’t just about what you do — it’s about how you show up.Resources:Connect with Suzanne on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

July 30, 2025Episode 13433 min

Permission to Pause: Reclaiming Rest as a Leadership Practice

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a favorite conversation in our Intersection Rewind series with Taylor Elyse Morrison — speaker, facilitator, and founder of Inner Workout.Taylor invites us to reimagine self-care not as spa days or checklists, but as a transformative practice rooted in self-awareness and inner dialogue. Drawing from yogic philosophy and her own leadership journey, she introduces the five dimensions of well-being and explains how slowing down can help us show up more fully for ourselves and others.Together, we explore how leaders can navigate burnout, the role of community care, and why vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a pathway to authentic leadership. Taylor also shares how self-care rituals can be especially vital for DEI and HR professionals navigating emotionally taxing work.This episode offers practical insight on rethinking self-care beyond surface-level fixes, building sustainable leadership rooted in rest and reflection, and creating systems of support that help leaders stay grounded while making real impact.Resources:Connect with Taylor on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

July 16, 2025Episode 13349 min

Leading Whole: Growing Through Hard Times

This week on The Intersection Podcast as part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, we are joined by Nyerere Billups, an ex-senior pharmaceutical leader, motivational speaker, and talent magnet. In this episode, Nyerere shares her powerful journey from homelessness to leadership, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices while challenging systemic inequities.As we dive into her story, Nyerere discusses the concept of bringing your whole self to work, how personal empowerment and vulnerability play a pivotal role in leadership, and why Black leaders need to be unapologetic about owning their story. We also explore how reframing experiences, addressing trauma, and practicing self-compassion are crucial to navigating corporate environments, particularly for Black professionals who often work in spaces not designed for them.Nyerere advocates for rethinking the conversation around Black talent in leadership and emphasizes the need for more accessible therapy to help heal historical trauma. Her vision for the future calls for creating environments where Black individuals can thrive by finding their voice, showing up authentically, and overcoming systemic barriers.Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about Black leadership, personal empowerment, and how to navigate corporate environments while being true to yourself.Resources:Connect with Nyerere on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

July 2, 2025Episode 13235 min

Leading Inclusively in Tech: Insights on Allyship & Action

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a conversation with John Higginson, the previous CTO of Chief, as he shares his expertise on driving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the tech industry. John explains the vital role white men can play in championing DEI efforts, and how simple, but powerful changes—such as removing gendered language from job descriptions and establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—are making a significant impact on fostering more inclusive environments.In this episode, John discusses the importance of representation and diverse teams, emphasizing that they not only promote innovation but also drive business success. He highlights the efforts of Chief, an organization focused on empowering women leaders, and shares how its approach to professional development and community-building is helping to shape a more inclusive leadership landscape.As DEI efforts continue to evolve in the workplace, this conversation provides crucial insights for anyone committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive organizational culture.Resources:Connect with John on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

June 11, 2025Episode 13138 min

The Creative Edge: Expanding What’s Possible

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we're joined by Michaela Ayers, a multidisciplinary artist and DEIA strategist who is redefining how creativity can be a catalyst for deeper connection and transformational learning in organizations. Michaela, the founder of Nourish Community, brings a wealth of experience designing community-centered, art-infused learning experiences that prioritize the body, storytelling, and imagination.In this episode, we explore how somatic, interactive learning can foster real behavior change and discuss how “edutainment” can revolutionize DEIA programming. Michaela shares creative strategies for meaningful onboarding and post-training support, as well as the power of storytelling and collage in unlocking collective visioning. We also dive into the importance of play and imagination, especially during challenging times, and how these elements can be integrated into leadership to drive sustainable change.Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about expanding what’s possible in DEIA and leadership through creativity and play.Resources:Connect with Michaela on LinkedInNourish IGBlack Her Stories IGConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

June 4, 2025Episode 13038 min

Still Relevant. Still Resonate: Leading with Liberatory Consciousness

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we are joined by Julye Williams, founder of The Project 2043 Institute, where she works to help organizations prepare for our increasingly multiracial society. Julye, an advocate for racial and social justice, brings 20 years of expertise in education, youth programs, and social-emotional learning. She has developed the Liberatory Consciousness Framework, a powerful tool for organizations looking to advance in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ).In this conversation, we dive into the framework's four pillars: awareness, analysis, action, and accountable allyship, and discuss the common challenges organizations face when trying to implement these concepts. Julye emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and how it shapes today’s social landscape. She also shares, “If I had a magic wand, I would magically make everyone understand the history of how we got to where we are.”Tune in for a powerful and educational conversation about how leaders can use the Liberatory Consciousness Framework to promote meaningful change.Resources:Connect with Julye on LinkedInLearn more about The Project 2043 InstituteThe Project 2043 Institute on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

May 21, 2025Episode 12945 min

Small Shifts, Big Impact: Building Disability-Inclusive Workplaces

In today’s episode of The Intersection Rewind, we revisit a powerful conversation with Emily Voorde, the founder and CEO of IntuStrategies, a consultancy dedicated to advancing disability inclusion. Emily's journey is a testament to the work being done to ensure that leadership spaces and organizations are accessible to individuals with disabilities.Emily shares that “disability inclusion isn’t just about compliance or accommodations, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.”We explore practical solutions for organizations to begin making meaningful changes, from revisiting hiring practices to offering training on how disability can be an asset in leadership. Emily also touches on the role of technology and innovation in creating accessible spaces for all employees.If you’re ready to be part of the solution, this episode is a must-listen to better understand how to move beyond just compliance to a truly inclusive environment that values all abilities.Resources:Connect with Emily on LinkedinVisit IntuStrategiesFollow IntuStrategies on InstagramConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

May 7, 2025Episode 12833 min

Economic Justice in Action: Rewriting the Rules of Wealth and Access

We're excited to bring you this episode as part of The Intersection Rewind: 10 Powerful Conversations that Still Resonate. This series features 10 of our most downloaded and favorite conversations from the last five years. .The wealth gap in America continues to widen, with systemic inequities disproportionately affecting communities of color. According to research, Black households hold just 12 cents for every dollar of white household wealth, while Latinx families hold only 21 cents for each dollar.This economic inequality isn't accidental—it stems from decades of discriminatory policies, unequal access to capital, and systemic barriers to financial opportunity that persist today.In this powerful conversation with Myah Irick, we dive deep into the root causes of economic disparity, examining how financial exclusion, lending discrimination, and limited access to capital have created generational wealth gaps across racial lines.Our discussion explores practical solutions including innovative financial programs, community investment initiatives, and policy changes that can create pathways to economic mobility for underserved communities.After listening, consider how you might contribute to creating more equitable financial systems in your own community.Resources:Connect with Myah on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting