DEI After 5 with Sacha

We are living in a time when it can feel easier to disconnect, dismiss, or retreat than to stay in conversation. But building bridges across difference requires something deeper: grace, space, reflection, and the willingness to see one another’s humanity. In this replay episode of DEI After 5, Sacha Thompson talks with Yvonne Alston, CEO of Indelible Impressions Consulting, about what it means to...

DEI work does not happen in a vacuum. As political tension, polarization, and anti-DEI efforts continue to shape public conversation, those dynamics show up inside workplaces too. In this replay episode of DEI After 5, Sacha Thompson talks with Sara Taylor of Deep See Consulting about the future of DEI in a contentious political landscape. With decades of experience in the field, Sara offers a gro...

Wellness at work isn’t just yoga and apps—it’s community, honesty, and how we treat people when things feel uncertain. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with wellness coach and former record executive KutiMac about self-care that actually holds up in real life. Kuti shares his journey from the music industry to keynote speaking and workplace wellness, and we get into what it means to stay grou...

When life feels heavy or uncertain, resilience is not just about pushing through alone. It is about finding your village, caring for yourself, and creating the support systems that help you keep moving. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Shazad Carbaidwala , an experienced coach, leader, speaker, and former SAP professional based in the Chicagoland area. Shazad shares lessons from his care...

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Stacey Gordon. In this episode, we zoom out to the bigger issue: the systems people have been naming for decades—and why this moment feels louder, messier, and harder to navigate. We talk about how increased access to information has raised awareness, but also created an environment where misinformation spreads fast and people struggle to separate truth from...

A lot of organizations didn’t suddenly “get tired” of DEI—many were fatigued long before 2020, then sprinted to copy what competitors were doing. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with inclusive leadership expert Stacey Gordon about what’s real, what’s performative, and how leaders build equitable practices that actually hold up under pressure. We discuss DEI fatigue, corporate inauthenticity,...

When the world feels nonstop, self-care can’t just be bubble baths and “take a break” advice—it has to include boundaries, community, and a realistic way to keep going without losing yourself. In this episode, Sacha reconnects with therapist and social justice advocate Ashley McGirt for a grounded conversation about exhaustion, advocacy, and what it actually looks like to reset. Ashley shares less...

Parenting right now can feel like trying to protect your kids from the world and prepare them for it at the same time. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Pooja Kothari about how parents can navigate today’s global and national issues without fear-based messaging—by building critical thinking , media literacy , and the habit of questioning assumptions . Pooja shares her journey from public...

In this episode, we are sharing the Fully Flavored Business Podcast episode, in which co-founders Lace Flowers and Sutton McCraney welcome Sacha Thompson, a leadership development strategist and founder of the Equity Equation. Sacha shares her insights on building psychologically safe, high-performing workplace cultures and the importance of inclusion in organizational settings. She discusses her...

In this episode of DEI After Five, we continue our insightful conversation with wellness coach KutiMack, diving deep into the crucial topic of sleep and its significance for overall wellness. The discussion highlights the modern struggle of feeling numb to stress and anxiety due to the normalization of these feelings in our daily lives. Kuti emphasizes the body’s remarkable adaptability and resili...

The cannabis industry is growing—but most people are still confused about the basics: hemp vs. marijuana , what’s legal where, and what opportunities are actually emerging for jobs, entrepreneurship, and inclusive access. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Nicole Vanderhorst , CEO & Founder of W.H. Farms Co. (North Carolina), about building a vertically integrated botanical manufacturing b...

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that signaled aggressive enforcement around race-conscious programs—sparking widespread fear, fast policy changes, and real disruption across higher education. In this episode, we break down what that guidance set in motion, how it impacted student support and campus trust, and what student-centered leadership look...

In this podcast swap episode of the Improve Work Podcast, host Daniela Tancau welcomes Sacha Thompson, founder of Equity Equation, to explore how team leaders can enhance their relationships with team members. The conversation delves into essential leadership skills, approaches to managing both their own emotions and those of their team, and the importance of trust in fostering a healthy workplace...

College access isn’t just about admissions decisions—it’s about the support systems that help students arrive, adjust, and stay. In this episode, Sacha Thompson reflects on her own path into higher education and the kind of program support that helped her succeed—especially for students who are first-generation or from underserved backgrounds. She’s joined by Terrence Gresham, a talent advisor and...

There is a lot of noise right now about the so-called “end” of DEI. Some organizations are quietly backing away from their commitments. Others are changing the language but keeping some of the work. And many leaders are trying to figure out what they can still say, do, or stand for without becoming the next headline. But underneath all of that is a bigger truth: the need for inclusive leadership h...

When people hear the word resistance , they often picture protests, marches, signs, and public acts of defiance. And yes, those things matter. But that is not the only way resistance shows up. That is one of the biggest takeaways from this part of the conversation with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare. Too often, people count themselves out because they assume resistance only “counts” if it is public, bold...

If you’re trying to push for workplace equity in a climate of backlash, this episode is for you. Sacha Thompson is joined by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare—organizational psychologist and author of Rise and Resist —to talk about what resistance looks like now, including the quieter, behind-the-scenes moves that actually shift systems. Dr. Janice connects today’s workplace dynamics to the long legacy of B...

This is Part 2 of: “The Art of War for Inclusion: How to Beat Performative DEI at Work.” In this episode, we get practical about what it takes to move from public statements to real organizational change—especially in a climate where inclusion work is being scrutinized, politicized, or quietly rolled back. We reflect on the post–George Floyd corporate response cycle, the pushback from Black employ...

A checkbox approach to inclusion creates shallow progress—and people feel it. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Rolando Talbot about what it takes to build workplaces where inclusion is treated like a business function , not a side initiative. We dig into inclusion as “business DNA,” why it matters for performance and culture, and how teams can create environments where neurodiverse emplo...

This is Part 2 of last week’s episode: “The 7 Trust Languages: A practical way to rebuild respect, safety, and credibility.” Here, we take the framework into real life—what trust looks like when people are watching whether your actions match your values. When organizations say “we value inclusion” but people experience something different day to day, trust breaks—fast. In this continuation episode...

In this episode of DEI After 5 , I’m joined by Minda Harts to talk about what trust really looks like at work—and how to rebuild it when it’s been strained. We unpack her 7 Trust Languages framework and the everyday behaviors that shape credibility, psychological safety, and team culture. If you’re leading through change or trying to strengthen relationships on your team, this conversation will gi...

In this episode, we dive into the critical relationship between employee experience and customer experience within the hospitality industry and beyond. Our host, Sacha Thompson and this week's guest, Calvin Stovall discuss the importance of inclusion, emphasizing that erasure and exclusion can significantly impact both employees and customers. The conversation highlights that your employees are al...

In this episode of DEI After Five, host Sasha welcomes Calvin Stovall, the Chief Experience Officer of Iconic Presentations, to discuss the vital role of hospitality and customer experience across various industries. Calvin shares insights into his work delivering dynamic keynote presentations focused on customer experience and leadership, emphasizing the importance of these concepts in hospitalit...

In this episode of DEI After 5, host Sacha Thompson talks to Dr. Donna Oriowo, a sex and relationship therapist and expert, about the anti-racist and anti-black sentiment that challenges the progress made in DEI circles. Dr. Donna Oriowo speaks about her work in the intersection of DEI, mental health, and sexual health, and provides insights on how we can combat these sentiments and move towards a...

In Part 3 and the final episode with guest Ofentse Lakwane, we explore the importance of genuine commitment from employers towards their employees, moving beyond mere lip service. We discuss how quickly employees can identify insincerity and the necessity for organizations to uphold a higher standard of care and support. They emphasize the significance of accessibility in the workplace, highlighti...