The Intersection presented by Intersectional Group

Ahlam Osman is a small business owner, and a candidate for City Council in Portland's District 3. Being young doesn't mean being inexperienced or naive. In this refreshing and thoughtful conversation, Zhou learns from Ahlam about the Somali community, entrepreneurship, youth leadership, being the youngest candidate for Portland City Council, and being in community. Follow Ahlam's work:...

In this episode, Zhou learns about workplace anxiety and its profound impact on people and businesses from Joni Roylance, a people-centered consultant on human resources. Joni also talks about holistic approaches, as well as accessible tools for employees and managers to use to address workplace anxiety. Connect with Joni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joniroylance/ email: advancedbeings@protonmail....

Dr. Joyce Senior is a nutritionist, public health leader, non profit operator, and language expert (Spanish/English). In this episode, Zhou learns about Dr. Senior's heritage, her love for and knowledge about food, how food and hair lead us to deeper conversations and healing, and how language connects us. Follow Dr. Senior's work: OSU Cultural Workgroups landing page:  https://extension.o...

Zhou is happily schooled in this episode by fellow podcaster and project collaborator Cristina Lumague, founder and producer at Lumague Media. Cristina talks about her journey with ADHD, her service in the army, becoming a professional podcaster, and a parent. Work with Cristina: https://www.lumaguemedia.com/ Follow How to ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/c/howtoadhd

Rachel Gibbs is an expert on Pay Transparency in the EU. Zhou learns from Rachel about the EU's pay transparency laws, gender pay gap reporting, remedy and enforcement of the law, and the interconnectedness between the EU and the US on pay transparency. A case study in Portugal mentioned in the conversation: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/portugal-surprise-result-rachel-gibbs-ogsye/?trackingId...

Pay transparency comes with challenges. In the long run, however, pay transparency is beneficial for business. Citizens and residents in the Portland metro area are in support of pay transparency legislation. "Employees give their time, which is their life, and time is finite." "It would be very nice to have a national database for salary." "Fully support of employers bein...

Employers have concerns over inequitable hiring practices due to the lack of pay transparency. "It saves everyone a lot of time." "When there is no enough transparency, there is a lack of trust." "Being in public sector(s), salary is public information and it is a good thing." "Transparency is good for business." Program note: states mentioned in this episod...

We ask our 17 interviewees "If there was a pay transparency legislation in Oregon, would you be in favor, neutral, or against it?" Almost across the board, folks are in favor of a pay transparency legislation in Oregon. Employers and legislators should take notes.

A less-than-30-mins medical procedure on a seemingly normal Thursday eventually turned into an operation with general anesthesia. What did Zhou learn about provider-patient communication, self-advocacy, the medical system, and community? For questions and thoughts, please email zhou@intersectional.group

Suzanne Hanifin is the founder and partner of Acumen Executive Search. She founded the company in her late 30s. Now, in her mid 50s, Suzanne reflects on hiring for good, women in business, women in their 50s, and motherhood. What Zhou learns from Suzanne is that there is no simple answer for career women and women in business. We all learn to let go and prioritize what's truly important in lif...

Lillian Tsai is a highly experienced and respected intercultural communications expert, DEIB trainer and facilitator, a leadership and organizational change consultant. Zhou has a rich conversation with Lillian on re-engineering one's career, finding purposes, making impacts, aging gracefully, and leaving a legacy. Tune in and subscribe. Connect with Lillian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsaico...

Rinah Rachel Galper is the founder and lead consultant of Joyoushout. In this loving, moving, and meditative conversation, Rinah shares her journey on spirituality, healing and liberation, love and joy, repair and pay it forward. "My Love Be with You Always" and "Nowhere to Go but Through" are words that moved Zhou to the core. Find Rinah and follow her work: https://joyoushout...

Wendy Kleinfeldt, Jordan King, Abby Coppock, Adriane Jones, Reland Logan, and Zhou Fang, are members of the Women Founders Club that was created by Wendy. In this conversation, members share their wisdom and lessons from business practice. You will hear Zhou repeatedly saying "I love this" as the guests share their candid and genuine thoughts on solopreneurship, uplifting women, being in...

As a math educator, a woman, and an Asian American, Vi has done a lot of reflection on her professional journey. As a deeply caring and loving person, Vi wants to share not only her, but also many women's stories. As a devoted educator, Vi dedicates her everyday to help students and teachers succeed. "when you are a teacher, you are also reliving your childhood." - this is a quote fr...

What is Divine Femininity, how to practice Beginner's Mind, what do being inquisitive, playful, and intersectional mean for Lori and Daelynn, practitioners and instructors of the Divine Feminine workshops? In this delightful, enlightening, and tender conversation, Zhou learns from Lori Eberly and Daelynn Moyer. This conversation is an invitation for our listeners to an exploration of spiritual...

The general public has little idea of how immigration works in the U.S. Oftentimes, business immigration is not in the public interest although international workers usually have to go through a lengthy and painful process in order to work and live in the U.S. In this conversation, Amber talks about the hardships and technical challenges her clients have to go through. She explains various immigra...

In this laughter filled episode, Zhou learns about camping, partnerships, entrepreneurship, and culture shift from Lestarya Molloy, Founder and CEO of Fridie Ourdoors, an app that empowers people to get camping by making the know-how accessible offline. It is a must listen. (note, other businesses that are mentioned in this episode have no affiliation to Intersectional Group) Download Fridie Outdo...

Rosa Park Neves is a mompreneur, a certified coach for new parents, and a seasoned, passionate HR professional. Zhou learns all things family leave (especially in Oregon) in this fun, genuine, and educational conversation. Rosa generously shares resources for parents and families who have to navigate the complex system: Rosa's website: ⁠https://rp7online.com/resources/ Baby Blues Connections h...

In a freezing, stormy day in Portland, Zhou talks with Juan Taveras in warm, sunny Phoenix. Taveras is the co-founder and CEO of DEI Pro Finer, a directory dedicated for HR and business leaders to connect with DEI practitioners nationwide. In this engaging and energetic conversation, Juan shares his wisdom on demystifying DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), employee retention, as well as advice fo...

In this new year episode, Zhou and guest Imran Haider talk about the importance of reciprocation and overlapping interests in relationships, his unconventional career path, as well as the significance of meaningful interpersonal communications. Imran Haider is an Assistant Professor at Washington State University. He teaches communications and diversity, equity and inclusion. To follow Imran's...

In this unscripted, wined, gentle, monologue, Zhou shares her reflections on China - US, psilocybin, systemic racism, intersectionality, being a business operator, loneliness and relationship, love, compassion, gratitude, and most importantly, hope, for our future. Give it a listen. And subscribe. To follow Zhou's dog Henry Fluffy (mentioned in the monologue), go to Instagram: @henryfluffyfang

Content warning: suicide and suicide ideation. Kjell & Zhou both went through unemployment at the same time, but got different outcomes; Kjell & Zhou also both went through immigration in different years, their experiences are also very different. In this real, raw conversation between two good friends, Kjell & Zhou hope to bring light, attention, and hopefully action to institutionali...

Every minute of this conversation is worth listening to. Jessica Heilman is the Executive Director of Center for Women's Leadership in Portland, Oregon. In this conversation, Zhou talks with Jessica on intersectional feminism, intersectional leadership, how to be a white identified, cis-gender leader who centers non-white and non cisgender leaders in the community, how to build "muscles&q...

This is a deep one. As well as a compassionate one. Yeruwelle de Rouen, founder and CEO of Intersectional Innovations, joins Rihana and Zhou, talks about her understanding and practice of Intersectionality, Liberatory Design, Restorative Process, and Wellness. Listen from the beginning to the end, it is a very educational conversation on systemic issues through the lens of intersectionality. Conne...

Rihana returns to the program and joins Zhou to speak with Mujidat Saaka, a community builder who's fostered a community within just one year in Portland. In this conversation, Mujidat shares her experiences of Brunch in Houston and Brunch in Portland, her commitment to building communities, and her practice of vulnerability and love. (also, Zhou risks getting cancelled by Portland in this epi...