Authenticity, Belonging, Community

We have reached the end of season 2 of INCOGNITO the podcast! Thank you to everyone who has listened, left reviews, and shared with others; we have been so excited to see the response to the podcast so far, and hope to keep bringing you helpful insight and tools towards creating a more inclusive society next season. For the final episode of our second season, I reflect on the many incredible contr...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Bessie Alcantara! Bessie is the executive director of Alternatives Inc, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that inspires young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. In this episode, Michael and Bessie discuss the importance of accountability and transpar...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Josie Whittlesey! Josie is the executive director of Drama Club Inc, a nonprofit organization that cares for youth, particularly those who are incarcerated and court-involved, by creating space for them to thrive, using improv as their guide. Through the use of play, storytelling, and role playing, Drama Club’s programs help young people...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Andre Watson! Andre is the Assistant Director for National Security under Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security. In this interview, Michael and Andre discuss the nuances of navigating Andre’s various identities both in and outside of the workplace, what it mea...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Dr. Kimberly Narain! Dr. Narain completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Following fellowships at Harvard Medical School and UCLA, Dr. Narain served as a Specialty Training Advanced Research Fellow in the Department of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Researc...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah. Representative Mah made history in 2016 when she became the first Asian American elected to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. She is a former college professor with a Ph. D. in modern American history and teaching experience in history, ethnic studies, and Asian American studies. Throughou...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Jamie Price, the Executive Director of the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute (SSPI) and author of the new book, Spiritualizing Politics without Politicizing Religion: The Example of Sargent Shriver . In addition to his work with SSPI, Jamie holds several academic posts, including research professor and Founding Director of the Insight Conf...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews Randy Ryan! Since leaving the military, Randy has been working with underserved communities as a means of continuing his service to the nation as a civilian. Randy led the Teaching Gardens program for the American Heart Association, growing it to include over 500 schools nationally, and now serves as the Manager of the California Initiat...

On this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, Michael interviews E. Patrick Johnson! E. Patrick is the Dean of the School of Communication and Annenberg University Professor at Northwestern University, as well as a prolific performer, scholar, and author, and a 2020 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, Michael and E. Patrick discuss the necessity of expressing grac...

On the first episode of Season 2, Michael talks with Emmy-winning actor and meditation teacher Jeff Kober. Michael and Jeff discuss what it means to bring your whole self to every space, how to treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion, and the importance of recognizing our universal connection of love by fighting for the good instead of against the bad. In this interview, Jeff shares...

We have reached 10 episodes of INCOGNITO the podcast! Thank you to everyone who has listened, left reviews, and shared with others; we jumped in to make this podcast and were so pleased by the response. For the final episode of our first season, I reflect more on my work with individuals and organizations across the country and share in-depth the Seven Tools I have developed to help people have mo...

Our next guest on INCOGNITO the podcast is Quinton Alston-Spratt! Quinton is Head of Advisor Practice Management at Franklin Templeton, as well as a Diversity & Inclusion leader within the company working to bring employees together. Quinton’s process focused approach helps people have better conversations and thus, better relationships. Michael and Quinton discuss his growth in the financial...

In this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, we speak with Willa Taylor! Willa has a fascinating background and is currently the Walter Director of Education and Engagement at The Goodman Theatre where she has developed many exciting new programs such as InterGens, the August Wilson Youth Intensive, and Stage Chemistry. She is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University and is recognized nationall...

This episode of INCOGNITO the podcast features Steve Edwards! Steve is an award-winning journalist, interviewer, and radio host whose work has appeared on numerous radio stations across the country. He was the Executive Director at The University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, and is the current Managing Director at Koya Partners, identifying and strengthening leaders across the civic and non...

Our next guest on INCOGNITO the podcast is Scott Lanum! Scott works in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency as a liaison for the organization to discuss matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and for employees to bring up any issues they encounter. Scott and I discuss his experience working in various parts of the Federal Government, what a model workplace can look like, and how we...

In this episode, we talk with Monty Schiro! Monty is the creator of Food Fight Restaurant Group, a locally owned and operated restaurant group in the greater Madison area with a group of unique and diverse restaurants. Here, Monty and I discuss the importance of prioritizing employees, how to provide for your community as a leader, and why the simplicity of truly caring for others is not overrated...

This episode of INCOGNITO the podcast features Julie Daley! Julie is a healer, teacher, and coach guiding people and organizations to a more creative, human way of relating and doing business. In this episode, Julie and I discuss her experience as both a student and teacher at Stanford, her thoughts on facilitating a grounded room, and how to connect with people more deeply. Suggested Tools: -Judg...

In this episode of INCOGNITO the podcast, we talk with Jason LeVasseur! Jason is a speaker, camp counselor, and creator of The Rock Star Project. In this episode, Jason and I discuss activities to promote authenticity and inclusion, why everybody is a rock star, and how you can be the best band member possible. Suggested tools: -Be interested , not interesting -Show up as yourself -People are of v...

Our first guest podcast is with Kirsten Kelly! Kirsten is a New York based Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and producer. In this episode, Kirsten and I discuss her experience as an outsider in college, her work creating documentaries Stranger/Sister and The Homestretch, and the lessons she has learned sharing the stories of others. Suggested tools: -Come with your armor down -Intentional curios...

Welcome to Incognito the Podcast! In this inaugural episode, I share my story of self-discovery. This is the story of the search for my long-lost biological father and how this quest revealed a piece of my identity that changed my life forever. I discuss how this story transformed into my life’s work in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership, and how my work has shifted over tim...

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