Underrepresented in Tech

Hosted by Michelle Frechette

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Underrepresented in Tech was designed and built with the goal of demystifying diversity. Fear of tokenization and awkwardness blocks many leaders from reaching out to diverse individuals. This roadblock prevents amazing people from finding amazing opportunities. We built this tool so that if you want to prioritize diversity, you can. In our weekly podcast, creators Allie and Michelle discuss topics that are important to them as champions of diversity in the WordPress/tech community.

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60 recent

July 17, 202622 min

Bridging the AI Divide: Ensuring AI Works for Everyone

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, and innovate, but is everyone benefiting equally? In this episode of the Underrepresented in Tech Podcast, Michelle and Samah explore the growing AI divide and what it means for individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide. They discuss how access to AI, digital literacy, education, geography, and socioeconomic factors are shaping who can take advantage of this technology and who risks being left behind. From personal experiences using AI in everyday work to conversations about global accessibility, responsible adoption, and the future of work, this episode highlights why AI should empower everyone, not just a privileged few.

July 10, 202632 min

Drink a Better Story: Coffee, Community & Innovation

In this episode, host Michelle sits down with James Laws and Jeremy Moore to share the story behind Bone Life Coffee and how they're building more than a specialty coffee brand; they're creating meaningful connections. From sourcing award-winning coffee directly from farmers to fostering community through their café and subscription service, they discuss the values that drive their business. They also explore the intersection of coffee, WordPress, entrepreneurship, and AI, offering insights into community building, quality, and innovation.

June 26, 202620 min

Accessibility Isn't Built into AI, And That's a Problem

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, communicate, and create, but is it truly accessible to everyone? In this episode of Underrepresented in Tech, Michelle and Samah explore why accessibility is still missing from many AI tools and the impact this has on people with disabilities and other underrepresented communities. Together, they discuss how biased training data can lead to exclusion, why voice recognition, facial recognition, and touch interfaces often fail to meet the needs of diverse users, and what developers and organizations can do to build more inclusive technology. They also reflect on why accessibility should be considered from the very beginning of the design process, not added as an afterthought. Join us for an honest conversation about AI, accessibility, and why creating technology that works for everyone isn't just good design, it's essential.

June 19, 202620 min

Pride, Acceptance, and Belonging: Why We Still Need These Conversations

In this Pride Month episode of the Underrepresented in Tech Podcast, Michelle and Samah discuss the importance of moving beyond tolerance toward true acceptance and inclusion. They explore the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals around the world, the impact of discrimination on mental health, and the role allies play in creating safer, more welcoming communities. The conversation highlights the difference between simply "putting up with" people and genuinely embracing them for who they are. From workplace inclusion and pronouns to family acceptance and the dangers of performative support, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated. Join us as we reflect on Pride, allyship, diversity in tech, and how each of us can help build a world where everyone belongs.

April 17, 202623 min

Built Accessible, Made Impossible

What happens when something is built to be accessible, and then quietly becomes inaccessible again?In this episode, Michelle and Samah dive into real-life stories of how accessibility isn’t just about design, it’s about maintenance, awareness, and intention. From a curb cut blocked by a concrete barrier to delivery packages placed in the worst possible spot to event spaces that almost get it right, these everyday situations reveal a bigger issue. Accessibility isn’t a one-time checklist. It’s an ongoing responsibility.

February 13, 202644 min

Unsung, Unstoppable: 22 Black Trailblazers in Technology

In this Black History Month episode of Underrepresented in Tech, Michelle and Samah highlight 22 Black leaders and innovators whose work shaped modern technology from early telecommunications and spaceflight calculations to computer science breakthroughs and responsible AI. Then, they unpack key takeaways from a Forbes article on the challenges underrepresented groups still face in tech, including biased hiring, limited access, gaps in mentorship and networks, accessibility barriers, and non-inclusive workplace cultures, along with practical ways companies and communities can help close those gaps.

January 30, 202611 min

A Global Celebration of Women in Tech: IWD 2026

In this special episode of the Underrepresented in Tech Podcast, Michelle and Samah introduce an exciting global initiative for International Women’s Day 2026. Instead of looking back at history, this year is all about celebrating women in tech right now. On March 8, 2026, Underrepresented in Tech will host a live, six-hour global event, featuring interviews with women in technology from around the world. Streaming live on YouTube, the event will spotlight diverse voices, personal journeys, challenges, successes, and leadership stories across time zones and regions. Women at all stages of their careers, from those just starting out to seasoned leaders, are invited to join, share their stories, and be part of a global conversation about equity, representation, innovation, and community in tech. Registration is open for attendees and for those interested in being interviewed. This event is about visibility, connection, and celebrating women exactly as they are, where they are.

January 23, 202635 min

Building Belonging: A Digital Platform for Inclusive Learning & Digital Citizenship

In our first episode of 2026, Michelle and Samah are joined by Dragana Babić and Sanja Hunyadi to explore a bold regional initiative: a digital platform designed to support children with learning disabilities and learning difficulties, along with the parents and educators who support them. We talk about what sparked the project, why access to modern learning tools remains unequal across smaller communities, and how a volunteer-led team is building a “one place” hub for resources, communication, and collaboration, grounded in one core belief: we all belong together. The conversation also expands into digital citizenship, media literacy, cybersecurity, and critical thinking, especially in an era of AI and misinformation. Dragana and Sanja share lessons from their work (including workshops for children with developmental disabilities and youth-led teaching moments) and how listeners can support inclusion locally and globally.

December 19, 202523 min

Who Really Gets Promoted, And Who Gets Left Behind?

Promotions aren’t just about performance; they’re about power, bias, and access.In this timely and deeply honest conversation, Michelle and Samah unpack what promotion really looks like for women, women of color, and experienced professionals in today’s workplace. Drawing on recent research and real-life experiences, we examine why minority women are the least likely to be promoted, why Gen X talent is often overlooked, and how structural bias, rather than a lack of ambition or skill, continues to influence career outcomes.The discussion includes gatekeeping, age bias, self-advocacy, unequal pay, and why diversity efforts often overlook age and lived experiences. Most importantly, we discuss what needs to change in organizations, leadership, and ourselves if we truly want equitable career progression.This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a call to do better.

October 17, 202524 min

Women in Tech: Speak on Expertise, Not Just Identity

In this episode, Michelle and Samah celebrate the incredible contributions of women in tech while addressing a persistent challenge: being invited to speak only about gender rather than expertise. From tech panels to conferences, women continue to face subtle biases, from discussions about lipstick to exclusion from technical sessions. We explore why women should be recognized for their knowledge, leadership, and technical skills, and how the tech community can create truly inclusive stages. Join us as we discuss representation, inclusion, and the power of letting women, and all underrepresented voices share what they know best.

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