A Dog Called Diversity

The mic turns inward for a final time as we trace how a remote‑recorded show became a global home for honest stories about inclusion.  Host Lisa Mulligan shares the spark that started A Dog Called Diversity, the WhatsApp brainstorm that shaped the name and cover art, and the scrappy, reliable tech stack that kept conversations flowing across time zones.  This is a frank debrief on what worked, wha...

What actually moves women into leadership? And what just makes work bearable?  Lisa Mulligan sits down with Dr Amanda Sterling to connect years of PhD research on mothers in leadership with a new survey of 212 women leaders across New Zealand.  The research asks the question on what makes the biggest different to women successfully navigating their career into leadership roles.  So what are the re...

What if your workplace could be someone's only safe space to exist authentically? Martin King , founder of Pride Pledge , reveals how organisations can become sanctuaries for rainbow communities in ways that transform lives and businesses alike. After nearly three decades in corporate HR roles, Martin experienced burnout that led to an epiphany. His passion for creating inclusive environments...

Erika Butters is revolutionising disability rights through technology that puts decision-making power back where it belongs—with the individual. Her platform Volition serves as a digital preference bank where people with disabilities can document, store, and share their likes, dislikes, and support needs, addressing a profound human rights issue that everyone deserves to make their own decisions,...

Ever wondered what happens when businesses do good work in their communities, but never measure or talk about it? In this conversation with Haemia Melling , founder of Impact In k, we dive deep into the world of Environmental Social Goverance (ESG) consulting and discover a revolutionary approach to balancing corporate success with community impact. Hamia shares her journey from childhood dreams o...

Ever wondered if the cognitive struggles of menopause might actually be preparing your brain for something better? In this conversation with Tracy  Minnoch-Nuku , founder of Sexy Aging , we explore a perspective on menopause that transforms it from a dreaded decline into an empowering transition. Tracy shares how her 35-year career in the fitness industry collided with her own perimenopause journe...

What if everything we've been taught about leadership is fundamentally flawed?  Emma Rutherford's r esearch into Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) leadership principles challenges the individualistic Western leadership model that dominates our organisations. Drawing from her experience as an organisational development leader and research with high-performing teams, Emma reveals how indigenou...

We are so excited to have Lyn R Lee on A Dog Called Diversity to talk about her career and her new book Tiny Rice Grains .  As the former Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Shell , Lyn  shares with host Lisa Mulligan her: Remarkable 22-year+ career at Shell How her book "Tiny Rice Grains" came about.   Her approach to DEI work that focuses on human connection, authen...

Have you ever felt suddenly invisible in your workplace despite your wealth of knowledge and experience? This episode explores the often-overlooked challenges of an aging workforce and the urgent need to build bridges between generations. Lot Hawkins , founder of The Stella Collective , shares her journey from art therapy to qualitative research, and how approaching her 50s sparked a mission to cr...

Katie Rickson shares her journey living with bipolar disorder, from diagnosis after giving birth to her daughter to finding meaning through advocacy and running her own business with built-in flexibility.  She shares the neurological differences of bipolar, the impact of hormonal cycles on symptoms, and her journey from shame to self-acceptance through reframing her condition as neurodivergence ra...

Ever wondered why some colleagues approach work so differently from you? It's not just personality—it might be neurodiversity at play. Jenny Turner , founder of Human Fabric , takes us on a fascinating journey into how different brain types function in the workplace. With approximately 20% of the population being neurodivergent (including conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia), understan...

In this episode, we sat down with Iain Schmidt, executive coach, speaker and facilitator who shared his transformative journey to redefine male allyship and inclusion. Iain opened up about his motivations, his desire to be a better role model for his children, and the societal stereotypes he aims to challenge for a more inclusive future. Iain also went on to explain the complex emotions tied to ma...

Join the ranks of visionary leaders and cultural champions in our latest episode, as we sit down with John Lombard, CEO of NTT Data. With a tapestry of international experiences enriching our discussion, John unveils the nuances of inclusive leadership that he's masterfully woven through a career spanning continents. From the art of communication across cultural chasms to the personal touches...

Bike widowhood—a club I never expected to join, yet here I am, swapping stories with Sally Fenner, an author whose life reads like an adventure novel. My husband's obsession with mountain biking led us to Sally and her equally bike-mad husband, Mark, but that's just the starting point. Sally takes us on a narrative journey from the rugged trails of mountain biking from Canada to Mexico o...

Discover the unexpected power of keeping your day job with side hustle guru Dannie Lyn Fountain, as she unveils her journey and the critical importance of income diversification. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the synergies between ADHD, autism, and side hustling—a discussion that promises to enlighten and inspire. With Dannie's latest book, "Keep Your Day Job," she shares...

Have you ever found yourself caught in a cycle that seemed impossible to break free from? Emma Gilmour, the driving force behind Hope Rising Coaching, certainly did. Both her candid revelations about navigating the alcohol culture, her journey through neurodiversity, and the empowerment found in confronting societal standards will resonate with many. We cover her past, along with the challenges of...

There are many paths to working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and we love Bernadette Smiths . Before " bringing good vibes to DEI " she was  a wedding planner for same-sex marriages. She has always been out there working on inclusion. Today, Bernadette is the CEO of the Equality Institute where she takes a holistic approach to create meaningful DEI work.  In her book " In...

Brigid Trenerry , a savvy researcher dedicated to the rich tapestry of workplace diversity and anti-racism is our guest in this episode of A Dog Called Diversity From Melbourne to Singapore to the USA  Brigid shares her  journey shaped by Aboriginal teachings and a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusion. Her stories of tackling racial identity and spearheading transformative reconciliation p...

We love having leaders in Diversity & Inclusion on the podcast. Katrina North is someone we have admired for a long time at The Culture Ministry .  This episode peels back the layers of Katrina's story, revealing how her varied background led her to become a pivotal figure in creating inclusive work environments. She shares how the impact of mentors and a diversity of experiences can be h...

Gene Stowe   joins us on A Dog Called Diversity to share his  journey with religion, writing, film making and community that includes a path through racial unity and justice. As the son of a Presbyterian preacher, Gene's narrative weaves through his experiences as a Catholic, a Muslim, and his current unaffiliated stance, offering a rare perspective on humanity as one's true community. G...

Have you ever been in a situation where you hesitated to applaud your own achievements, held back by an invisible societal leash? Join us as we sit down with Ravi Agarwal , (one of our favourite people here at The Culture Ministry ). He is an agile culture transformation consultant, who passionately advocates for change in workplace culture and champions gender equality. Drawing insights from the...

Dr. Ellen Joan Ford is an impressive person. Her extraordinary life has taken her from the green pastures of New Zealand to the icy expanses of Antarctica. Her decade of service as an engineer officer in the New Zealand Army is filled with tales of igloo-building, leading humanitarian efforts, and the challenges that come with being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment. But Ellen&...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to not just draft policies but truly embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into the very fabric of an organization? Join us as John Ray, DEI Lead for Hato Hono San John, shares his remarkable journey from rural Australia to becoming a beacon for inclusivity in the workplace. Growing up among diverse wildlife as a zoo tour guide, John cultivated a keen sense of...

Ever found yourself mystified by the changes your body undergoes during menopause, or felt alone in navigating its choppy waters? Sarah Connor, the esteemed Queen of Menopause, joins us today to share her insightful journey from confusion to clarity and how she's flipping the script on menopause misconceptions. With a tale that begins with her own perimenopause struggles and culminates in the...

Have you ever wondered how to leverage the power of connections for personal and professional growth? This week's podcast guest, Mel Kettle , sheds light on this. The episode dives into Mel's journey from crafting annual reports to becoming an in-demand speaker, touching on her pivot to social media, her book "The Social Association," and her key insights on creating online com...