The Creating Belonging Podcast

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The vibrant streets of Chicago have sculpted a unique narrative for Jim Conti, Talent Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners, who joins us to weave a tale of personal growth and professional reinvention. From the comfort of familiar neighborhoods to the strategic boardrooms of venture capital, Jim unpacks how his cherished roles as a community advocate, plant and dog parent, shape his world...

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Ever felt like the odds were stacked against you? Michael Stein's incredible journey from underdog to entrepreneur extraordinaire will convince you that anything is possible with resilience and humor. In our latest episode, Michael pulls back the curtain on his life, revealing a story that begins with his family's fight against adversity and stretches through his own personal bat...

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Discover the art of genuine communication and the essence of belonging with Kim Clark, a communication strategist and author who navigates the complex interplay of identity with a deft touch. As a white, cisgender woman with Native American roots, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a mother to children with disabilities, Kim challenges us to confront our privileges and channel the...

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Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn't quite fit in? Imagine that sensation lingering, day in and day out, in your workplace. Geoffrey Roche from Siemens Healthineers joins us to unearth the complex layers of leadership and its profound effect on nurturing a sense of belonging at work. We traverse the landscape of workforce development with Geoffrey, whose first-gen...

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Have you ever found yourself trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, particularly in the workplace? Tami Chapek, an executive leadership coach and the founder of We Inspire We, joins me to unravel the complexities of staying true to oneself amid the pressures of conformity, especially as a woman in the cutthroat marketing and advertising industry. As we navigate the tricky terrain of...

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When I stepped into the vibrant world of an NGLCC conference, I didn't just find opportunities—I discovered a family. This episode brings you the voice of Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. We journey through the organization's history, its transformative rebranding, and the ways it propels the economic presence of LGBTQ-owned busine...

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As we grapple with the intricacies of forging genuinely inclusive spaces, Nancy Lyons, a tech innovator and staunch advocate for workplace diversity, lends her voice to our latest conversation. With Nancy at the helm of Clockwork and Tempo, her journey as a queer woman carving out a progressive company culture is both inspiring and instructive. Her stories, rich with the trials and triumph...

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Have you ever found yourself donning a mask just to blend in with the crowd, suppressing your true self for the sake of acceptance? Our latest episode invites you into the world of Alex Draper, CEO and founder of DX, who shares his transformative voyage from an English village to the bustling streets of Chicago. Alex's tale is not just about geographic relocation but an internal metam...

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Have you ever stepped into a room and felt like you didn't quite belong? Tre Cabrera, founder of Cabrera Advisory Group LLC, knows that sensation all too well, and she's devoted her career to transforming it. In our latest episode, we peel back the layers of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) with Tre, a black woman who has carved her path through the challenging ...

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Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own life, hiding behind a mask for fear of not fitting in? Our guest, Rick Clemens, knows this struggle all too well, but he's turned his quest for belonging into a beacon of hope for others. Join us as Rick, a gay dad and entrepreneur, shares his poignant journey from concealing his true self to becoming a guiding light for individuals navi...

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When the pages of "Creating Belonging" came to life during our inaugural podcast season, I uncovered a tapestry of diverse human stories that not only enriched our dialogue but also unexpectedly deepened my own understanding of belonging. Reflect with us as we revisit the high points and transformative conversations with incredible guests who lent their voices to this journey, so...

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Ever wondered what it truly means to belong and be authentic at work? Let's unpack this together! In our season finale, we bring back Veronica Rivero, Lauren Glazin, and Britt Andreatta where we uncovered the nuances of the Creating Belonging model and its four different areas. Veronica shared her perspective on how authenticity can change and evolve in the workplace, depending on the...

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How did the challenges of a tumultuous childhood lead to a journey of healing, finding purpose, and creating a sense of belonging? Join us as we pick back up our conversation with Britt Andreatta about her inspiring story, exploring the power of resilience and overcoming adversity through the comfort of her cats, academic success, and connecting with others who have faced similar struggles...

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What happens when you combine an honest conversation about identity, belonging, and society's expectations with a dash of personal experience? You get an insightful and thought-provoking episode featuring my long-time friend, Dr. Britt Andreata, CEO of Brain Aware Training and author of books on the brain science of success. As a white woman, married for twenty years, and bisexual, Br...

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Are you ready to challenge your ideas about professionalism and gender in the workplace? Join us as we sit down with the insightful Vanessa Sheridan to discuss transgender inclusion and the concept of gender authenticity. Vanessa helps us understand how embracing acceptance and understanding within the workplace can lead to increased productivity, teamwork, and a stronger internal brand. L...

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What happens when you embrace your authentic self in the workplace? Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Sheridan, a globally recognized transgender workplace expert to discuss her inspiring journey to self-acceptance and the power of being genuine in our complex, changing world. Vanessa highlights the recent attacks on the trans community and emphasizes the importance of creating a sense o...

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On this episode, Kendra LeFleur joins us. Kendra is a Partner at Carr Riggs & Ingram CPA’s and Advisors. We discuss how Kendra found her way in the corporate world, and how much she appreciates getting to know others’ perspectives.

One of the causes we discuss toward the end is the work that Kendra does with Girls on the Run Atlanta, check them out! https://www.girlsontherunatlanta.org

K...

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This was such a fun conversation! Tune in to hear about Lauren's blonde identity. We talk religion and sexuality and how the two mix.

You can order your copy of Creating Belonging on Amazon.

Music:
Wave by Helkimer | https://soundcloud.com/helkimer
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)