I Know I Belong When...
Bold voices. Curious stories. Authentic Impact. What does it really mean to belong? Not just to be invited... To be seen. Heard. Needed. "I Know I Belong When…" is more than a podcast; it’s a movement. A mirror. A megaphone. It’s where raw truth meets radical hope. Each episode brings you unfiltered conversations with people who’ve wrestled with the question of belonging in the spaces that shape our lives: workplaces, schools, communities, and digital worlds. From the boardroom to the breakroom, from the sidewalks to our living rooms, our guests share the exact moment they knew they were in, and the moments they knew they weren’t. ______ This is not about feel-good soundbites. It’s about radical accountability. We explore: ~ Where equity is the foundation, not a divider. ~ The steps it takes to build diverse cultures, not only to survive, though to prosper. ~ Ensure inclusion is not just a checkbox; it is a commitment. ~ Where accessibility is not an afterthought, but the amplification to thrive. ______ At the heart of our conversation is the Belonging Formula: "Belonging = (Inclusion × (Diversity + Equity)) ^ Accessibility." It’s not just math; it’s a mindset. A blueprint. A challenge to every leader, builder, and changemaker: Are you creating spaces where every identity is not only welcomed, however, is valued and respected? ______ Here’s how we do it: [ We Say Names ] Names are not nicknames. They carry legacy, identity, and power. Inspired by #AlwaysChristopher #NeverChris, we explore how honoring someone’s name is the first act of belonging. [ The Moment of Belonging ] A defining story. A turning point. The moment our guest knew: I belong here. We unpack how that moment shaped their confidence, creativity, and connection. [ Navigating Non-Belonging ] We don’t shy away from the hard stuff. Guests share what it felt like to be excluded, erased, or underestimated, and how they reclaimed their space and voice. [ Sustaining Belonging ] What does it take to keep that feeling alive? We explore the systems, rituals, and leadership practices that make belonging a daily reality, not a one-time event. ______ Why it matters: This podcast is for anyone who’s ever asked: Do I really belong here? And for every leader who’s ready to answer: Yes, and here’s how we’ll prove it. Whether you’re building inclusive teams, designing accessible tech, or rethinking your own role in equity work, these stories will challenge you to show up differently. To lead with intention. To listen with humility. To act with courage. Because belonging isn’t a destination, it’s a practice. And it starts with listening.
Episodes
When do we feel workplace belonging? When a leader chooses a tiny, intentional moment—offering presence, saying your name with care, cleaning up a misstep—and lets trust ripple through a team. In this episode, host Christopher Bylone sits down with Chris Rollins, creator of Ripple Effect Leadership, to explore how small acts of authentic leadership build an inclusive culture where no one must self-edit. Chris brings the 'pebbl...
What does it truly mean to feel seen, heard, and valued at work? In today’s world of rapid change, remote teams, and evolving expectations, the need for belonging in the workplace has never been more urgent—or more complex. In this episode of “I Know I Belong When…,” inclusive leadership expert Simone Morris invites listeners into a deeply personal and practical conversation about building belonging at work, one authentic interacti...
What does it take to move from intention to action—and truly build belonging in any environment? Season 1 of “I Know I Belong When…” proved that belonging is not just a feeling; it is the outcome of radical inclusion, authentic leadership, and everyday choices that shape an inclusive culture.
Hosted by Christopher Bylone, Principal Strategist at Innovation Unbiased, this special episode revisits the bold voices and transformative st...
What does it truly mean to belong at work—and how do leaders move from intention to impact? In this episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone welcomes expert Julie Kratz to explore building belonging beyond buzzwords. Having navigated male-dominated industries and experienced being “the only one in the room,” Julie shares how exclusion and allies shaped her mission to foster cultures of belonging. Her work with Next ...
What does it really mean to create belonging in the workplace—and how do you build it at scale, without losing your soul?
In this episode of I Know I Belong When, we welcome Christina Luconi, former Chief People Officer at Rapid7 and a trailblazer in people strategy, for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead with authenticity, build inclusive cultures, and champion human-centered innovation. Christina’s story is a mas...
What if the fastest path to belonging in the workplace is replacing certainty with curiosity? In this episode of I Know I Belong When, executive coach and longtime DEI/IDEA leader Nancy J. Di Dia invites us into the moments that shaped her leadership—when she stood up in a global town hall, when clinical trial data met human reality, and when a listening culture turned inclusive culture from aspiration into practice. Designed for w...
In this energizing episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone and Dr. Victoria Mattingly explore how allyship as a verb turns data-informed people solutions into transformational change. Together, they unpack strategic inclusion, inclusive design, and the Belonging Formula—equity plus diversity, multiplied by inclusion to the power of accessibility—to help forward-thinking organizations build an inclusive culture wher...
Discover how organizations can transform lives through human-centered innovation and inclusive practices in "I Know I Belong When.” Host Christopher Bylone welcomes Chason Forehand, founder of HR4U and Transformation Kitchen, for an inspiring talk on building belonging at work and beyond.
Chason shares his journey from abuse, addiction, and homelessness to creating transformational change. Transformation Kitchen offers second c...
Discover why fairness is not just a value: it is a strategic advantage. In this episode of “I Know I Belong When,” host Christopher Bylone sits down with Aniela Unguresan, founder of the EDGE Certified Foundation and CEO of EDGE Strategy, to explore how data-driven inclusion transforms organizations and lives.
Overview
What does it truly mean to belong—and how can fairness become a business imperative? Aniela Unguresan shares her jo...
Overview
In this powerful episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone welcomes culture visionary and kindness catalyst Marissa Andrada—a transformative leader whose career spans iconic brands like Chipotle, Starbucks, and Kate Spade. Now serving as Chief Culture Officer at WUF World, Marissa is redefining leadership by centering equity, inclusion, and belonging as daily practices—not distant goals.
“Kindness is...
In this compelling episode of “I Know I Belong When,” host Christopher Bylone welcomes John Ferguson, a strategic business executive, former Chief Human Resources Officer at NASCAR, and recognized leader in people strategy and inclusive culture. Together, they delve deeply into the power of unedited identity, exploring how your name, your story, and your authentic voice shape your sense of belonging at work and in life.
This episod...
In this debut, host Christopher Bylone welcomes Brooklyn Dicent, transformational speaker, comedian, and workplace happiness expert, whose work combines positive psychology, neuroscience, and energy leadership into a mix of science, soul, and laughter. They discuss what true belonging looks like when you show up as your authentic self. Brooklyn shares her journey of changing her name and embracing her identity, while introducing th...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Authenticity is not one-dimensional—it is dynamic.
In this clip from an upcoming episode of the “I Know I Belong When…” podcast, John shares what belonging means to him:
“I know I belong when I can show up as my authentic self. But let me be clear—your authentic self has various versions. John as a dad, John as a fraternity brother, John as a co-worker… different hats, same essence.”
His message is a reminder: aut...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Your name tells a story—own it proudly.
In this clip of an upcoming episode of the “I Know I Belong When…” podcast, Marissa Andrada shares why her name is more than just letters:
“My full name is Marissa Jane Andrada… Marissa is very much a Spanish Filipino name. Jane represents Joan of Arc, which I grew up Catholic. Andrada is my dad’s name. Even when I got married, I kept my last name because I am so proud of wh...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Smart is not the flex; belonging is the flex
Being the smartest in the room is an ego flex. It signals control, not collaboration.
Being the catalyst in the room? That is the leadership flex that actually moves the needle.
Nancy Di Dia nails it in this clip: leadership is not about showcasing what you know; it is about creating space for what others can contribute.
Curiosity creates belonging. When leaders ask “Wh...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Privilege is not a dirty word—it is a powerful tool for change.
In this clip from an upcoming episode of the “I Know I Belong When…” podcast, Dr. V reminds us:
“People believe the P-word is a big, bad word and something to be ashamed of. But in reality, if you hold a privileged identity, you can promote inclusion and belonging through your actions as an ally. This must be in partnership with the individual or grou...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Breaking Out of the Shadow to Build Your Own Light
When you’re starting out, it’s easy to feel defined by someone else’s legacy—especially in tight-knit ecosystems. In this powerful moment from the I Know I Belong When podcast (episode 8), Christina Luconi shares what it felt like to be known as “Fred’s kid” in the Boston tech scene and her determination to carve her own path:
“I wanted to build my own name… I don...
#IKnowIBelongWhen When leaders foster belonging, they unlock something powerful: discretionary energy.
As Brooklyn Dicent shares, in an upcoming episode, on the I Know I Belong When podcast, this energy is not in the job description—it is the extra effort, creativity, and care people give when they feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Want more productivity? Start with psychological safety.
When people feel they can:
~ Learn and grow
~ ...
#IKnowIBelongWhen White guys: be part of the solution!
Privilege is not a choice; though using it for good is.
In this candid clip from the I Know I Belong When podcast (episode 9), Christopher Bylone shares a powerful truth:
“Those who look like me need to lean into this conversation. You cannot stand on the sidelines anymore—you have to be part of the solution.”
Systems of privilege were not created by many of alive today; howeve...
#IKnowIBelongWhen Mentorship + Accountability = Growth.
In this insightful clip from the I Know I Belong When podcast, Aniela Unguresan shares two powerful truths for navigating challenging moments:
Find your mentors. Surround yourself with people who know your motivations, understand your aspirations, and offer objective guidance when the path gets tough. Their experience and perspective are invaluable.
Deliver on your promises. I...
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