Checkbox Other with Nikki Innocent

Anyone else feel like we're going from zero to 60 from isolation to seeing people, from vague timing uncertainty to an urgent rush? It's especially abrupt after this period of pandemic time dysmorphia. One of the things we've learned during quarantine is that being physically in a space, or on video on a Zoom call, doesn't mean you are truly able to be present. In this episode, Nikki shines a ligh...

As many US companies begin to explore their "back to the office" plans, traditional leadership models, tactics and beliefs are being tested. Many leaders in the investment management industry are bluntly expressing their opinions of the appropriate "return to normal" timeline and approach. On the other hand, employees, a majority of them millennials, have been very clear that if their organization...

Is there anyone in your life trying to control every aspect of a project, relationship or endeavor? Someone that is nitpicking every single facet of what you are doing? Listen in to hear how you can finally say goodbye to micromanaging for good. In this episode, Nikki: shines a light on the dynamics at play when micromanaging is the tool of choice for people in positions of power, dives into how t...

In the second episode of this two-part series to relaunch Checkbox Other, you'll hear about the importance of messaging during a global pandemic, Nikki's "other" story while getting her vaccine, her view on "getting back to work," the future of leadership and the new rules that may stick coming out of the pandemic, get the inside scoop on what is coming for Checkbox Other, new developments in Nikk...

In the first episode of this two part series to relaunch Checkbox Other, you'll get the inside scoop as to the relaunch of the podcast, why the podcast went on hiatus, what's being going on with Nikki for the last six months of navigating the pandemic, the global reckoning on racial injustice, overcoming the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, dealing with haters and so much more. Nikki Innocent's...

Host, Nikki Innocent, focuses this episode around a topic that comes up in almost all of her coaching calls along with any live Q&A session at her speaking engagements: How to hack Imposter Syndrome and overcome the fear of being found out. Imposter syndrome is defined as that sinking feeling that you will be found out as a fraud, that you are not qualified, that you don't belong, that your succes...

Host, Nikki Innocent, centers the importance and power of taking time for a purposeful pause right now. As we start September and enter into "back to school" territory, the need for a thoughtful period of reflection and self-awareness is key. In the midst of COVID19 and our national reckoning on racial injustice, so many of us find ourselves in an autopilot, survival mode. We're striving to keep o...

As a Culture Columnist for The Boston Globe, Jeneé Osterheldt often writes at the intersections of identity and social justice through the lens of the arts and culture. Jeneé joins host Nikki Innocent for a conversation featuring their discussion about being biracial, the experience of living in the in-between of identity buckets and how that influenced them both as children and as adults. The epi...

As the first Black, Haitian American city councilor at-large in the city of Everett, MA, Gerly Adrien has experienced an inordinate amount of push-back from her colleagues even as she attempts to speak in the time allotted to her. After receiving the the highest number of votes in the 2019 election, her voice represents more of her constituents than her fellow elected city council members. However...

Erin Claire Jones is a leadership coach specializing in Human Design. She helps leaders and teams step into their highest potential by offering them the self-knowledge and tools to perform at the top of their personal and professional games. In this episode, Erin will give an overview of what Human Design is and how it can shine light on your emotional, psychological and energetic makeup, giving y...

We are excited to share the audio recording of Checkbox Other host Nikki Innocent's 2019 TEDxBU talk "Break the Rules in Life, Then Re-write Your Own". Since the beginning of her life, Nikki has always been one to push the boundaries, and to not always abide by the rules of society. In her talk she discusses how this has helped her in all facets of her life, and shares with the audience the rules...

Women's leadership experts, Keisha Shields and Nikki Innocent, discuss the importance of owning your own legacy. Keisha shares experiences of having her identity defined by the perceptions and actions of others. She grew up being told that she was " too much" and began to caution herself before speaking, then she did the work of breaking free of that conditioning to live fully as her most authenti...

This week's episode is an encore episode to honor our first guest on this podcast, Megan Baker. Last month, Megan Baker left this world in the physical sense after her journey with cancer came to an end. Earlier this year, she and Nikki had talked about her coming back on the podcast to share more about her cancer journey. Unfortunately they didn't have a chance to do that, so we felt the next bes...

To honor Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, we're releasing an encore episode of "I Am Not My Socialization" a conversation with social justice expert, educator and all-around game changer, Dr. Tee Williams. As many in the US and in the global community make a larger commitment to shine a light on racial injustice and to "do the w...

In Checkbox Other's first solo episode, host Nikki Innocent discusses the vital moment that America finds itself in following the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Nikki reflects on the public outcry, the rally for whiteness to be acknowledged and the systems of oppression in our society to be called out, brought into the light and ultimately dismantled. She encoura...

Christie Lindor is a momprenuer, author, speaker, and Founder of Tessi Consulting, a business & HR consulting firm focused on helping leaders create and sustain high performing, diverse, and inclusive workplace cultures -- particularly in times of disruptive change. A former technologist turned workplace expert, Christie helps leaders solve workplace issues in areas of digital transformation, crea...

Rica Elysée is the CEO of BeautyLynk and #AtTheTable. Prior to her life as an entrepreneur, Rica was a successful community organizer, marketer, and fundraising exec who founded an influential beauty and makeup meetup community for women of color in Boston. She was also helping take care of a disabled family member and noticed how confident hair appointments made this family member feel – but it w...

Jessica Minhas is a human rights and mental health advocate, journalist, public speaker, and the Founder and CEO of I'll Go First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and supporting mental health and trauma recovery care in underserved and vulnerable communities around the world using storytelling and mobile technology. In this episode, Jess & Nikki discuss the journey of racial discov...

In this episode, Melissa Rowe & Nikki discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the education system, college accessibility, student loan debt, the power of young people and the importance of them sharing their stories. They also talk about Melissa's calling as a writer, her experience navigating layoffs, challenging the status quo, pivoting her business offering based on the needs of the market and the s...

Molly Beck is the CEO of the all-in-one podcast creation and hosting platform Messy.fm and author of business advice book REACH OUT that chronicled how she built her podcast company via networking strategy. In this episode, Molly & Nikki discuss Molly's entrepreneurial journey, the importance of having someone believe in you in the face of feeling like you don't belong, and the experience of navig...

Jadah Sellner is the host of the Lead with Love™ podcast, a TEDx speaker, creator of Love Over Metrics™, Business Growth Incubator and the best-selling author and co-founder of Simple Green Smoothies. As a serial entrepreneur, online community growth strategist and business mentor Jadah consults companies and personal brands to build communities with love, service, and impact. In this episode, you...

To kick off 2020, Checkbox Other host Nikki Innocent shares her 2019 TEDx talk "Embrace Your Other, Activate Your Superpower" that centers on activating your unique gift in this world by embracing what makes you different. If you are starting the new year and new decade looking to take charge of your life, this talk will help you take the first step and support you in overcoming the fears that are...

Architect, designer, creative director and owner of MESS in a Bottle, Kalilah Wright is here to share her story! The Mess in a Bottle is a T-shirt company that is emotional, thought provoking and an expression of the current climate of the world. The MESS brand was established to evoke change, question Kalilah's audience and allow individuals wearing their messages to be vocal without saying anyth...

Kristen is an Award-Winning Journalist, TV Host, sought-after Speaker, and CEO of Pope Productions. She & Nikki discuss her transition from broadcast news to creating her own storytelling platform, The Positive Controversy. They discuss her work in activating the next generation of on-air talent & providing a platform for unheard stories to be featured and how comedy, specifically stand up has bee...

Meet TeLisa Daughtry, an award-winning diversity & technology advocate, serial social entrepreneur, multi-disciplined creative & tech futurist, and impact investor. She is the Founder & CTO of FlyTechnista, Founder of STEEAMnista--both initiatives have previously been in partnership with The White House in 2016. She is the founder & angel investor at FemX Ventures. Nikki & TeLisa discuss the ventu...