DEI After 5 with Sacha

In this week's episode of DEI After 5, we continue our engaging conversation with Ofense Lakwane, diving deeper into the concept of intentionality in creating inclusive workplaces. We explore the distinction between performative actions and genuine efforts, highlighting the importance of not just checking boxes, but truly understanding and addressing the needs of all individuals. A powerful exampl...

In this episode of DEI After 5, host Sacha welcomes accessibility expert Ofentse Lakwane, who discusses the importance of creating truly accessible workplaces rather than just going through the motions with checkbox solutions. Originally from South Africa and now based in the UK, Ofentse brings a unique perspective to the inclusive workplace landscape, with a background in technology consulting, s...

In this episode of DEI After 5, we delve into a pivotal article from Big Think, discussing five key recommendations that will reshape leadership development by 2026. The host emphasizes the importance of aligning learning initiatives with business strategies, ensuring that leadership training reflects the core principles of an organization. They highlight the significance of creating a cohesive ar...

Being a guest on the HCI Podcast gave me the chance to talk about something I care deeply about: how psychological safety becomes the catalyst for workplaces where people can show up fully, speak openly, and actually thrive. At The Equity Equation, this isn’t theory—it’s the core of the work we do every day with leaders, teams, and organizations who want to build cultures where people feel respect...

Creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and able to show up as their full selves isn’t just “nice to have” anymore—it’s necessary. As conversations about diversity and inclusion get quieter in some rooms, the need for brave, supportive communities grows louder. Whether you’re learning, leading, or simply trying to navigate today’s workplace culture, empathy, curiosity, and belonging are...

When I think about the leaders, teams, and individuals I’ve supported over the years, one truth keeps showing up: mindset is the gateway to transformation. Whether we’re talking about happiness, resilience, purpose, or even navigating workplace stress, the way we frame our experiences shapes the way we move through them. Coaching becomes the vehicle—not because it provides all the answers, but bec...

If there’s one leadership skill that keeps coming up in every conversation I have—with clients, podcast guests, and leaders navigating the post-pandemic workplace—it’s empathy. Not the “I feel sorry for you” kind. Not sympathy. Real empathy. The kind that helps you actually feel with people, not just observe their struggle from the outside. This skill isn’t soft. It isn’t optional. And it definite...

Leadership today demands more than vision or authority—it requires trust. In workplaces where uncertainty and change are constant, the leaders who succeed are those who create environments where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to deliver their best work. As Damian Goldvarg shared in our recent conversation, effective leadership is not about control—it’s about cultivating trust and accou...

In this episode of DEI After Five, host [Host Name] welcomes author and organizational psychologist Damian Goldvarg to discuss his book, " Lead with a Coaching Mindset ." The conversation focuses on the urgent need for a shift in leadership from project management to a more human-centered approach, especially in today's complex times. Damian shares his extensive background in psychology and leader...

Let’s be honest—most onboarding experiences are forgettable at best and overwhelming at worst. Yet for many organizations, the way they welcome new employees hasn’t kept up. Traditional onboarding often feels like a box to check—an administrative marathon of paperwork, policies, and PowerPoints. But in a world where people are craving connection, clarity, and belonging, that approach simply doesn’...

In this episode of DEI After 5, Sacha reflects on the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work in organizations. Addressing a recent question posed by a caller, the discussion emphasizes that while the specific terminology around DEI may evolve, the essence of the work remains crucial due to our inherent diversity as humans. She notes a shift in organizational needs, moving away from...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work, hire, and even how we define success—but it’s also quietly reshaping conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While AI promises efficiency and data-driven insights, it also poses serious risks when bias goes unchecked. On a recent episode of DEI After 5 , I sat down with Dr. Alexandra Zelin to unpack what this means for...

Artificial intelligence is changing everything. How we work, how we make decisions, and how we connect with one another. But as powerful as AI is, it also carries the risk of reinforcing the very inequities many of us have spent years trying to dismantle. Inclusion in AI isn’t just a technical issue — it’s a human one. As we continue to integrate AI into everyday life — from hiring and lending to...

In today’s diverse and interconnected world, effective marketing requires more than clever slogans or broad demographic data—it requires understanding people. That was the heart of my conversation with Hernan Tagliani, who emphasized why representation and cultural relevance are critical to building authentic connections with consumers. Too often, brands rely on general market research and assume...

In today’s marketplace, the role of multicultural consumers isn’t just important—it’s essential. During this week’s DEI After 5 episode, I sat down with Hernan Tagliani, an expert in multicultural marketing, to unpack why brands must stop treating cultural celebrations like Hispanic Heritage Month as optional or seasonal gestures. We started by calling out something many of us notice: some compani...

We live in a world that glorifies busyness. Long hours, stacked calendars, and constant connectivity have become the norm. But here’s the truth I continue to share on DEI After 5 : growth doesn’t happen in the grind—it happens in recovery. And the cornerstone of recovery? Sleep. Sleep as the Body’s Reset Button Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a biological necessity—just like food, water, and oxygen. Wh...

When we talk about psychological safety , most people immediately think about the workplace. But if we’re being honest, psychological safety has always extended far beyond the office walls. It’s about how safe we feel in our neighborhoods, in our homes, and in our communities—and how those experiences shape how we show up everywhere else. In this week’s episode of DEI After 5 , I share a very real...

One thing that’s become crystal clear in the past few years is this: leadership, as we knew it, doesn’t work anymore. The post-pandemic workplace is asking something different of us. And while some leaders are clinging to old playbooks—those rooted in control, hierarchy, and performance at all costs—others are leaning into something more sustainable and human: inclusive leadership . But let’s be h...

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my work, it’s that inclusive workplaces don’t just happen. They’re built—with intention, consistency, and a clear commitment to amplifying voices that too often get left out of the conversation. In a recent episode of DEI After 5 , I had the chance to talk with Dr. Nika White, someone who has built her career at the intersection of marketing, leadership, and in...

New DEI After 5 episode live now We’ve all heard the terms: psychological safety , belonging , trust . They get tossed around in company town halls, folded into DEI statements, and dropped into leadership training decks. But let’s be real — most of what gets said about them barely scratches the surface. In this week’s episode of DEI After 5 , I go beneath the buzzwords. Psychological safety isn’t...

It’s clear people are looking for ways to protect their peace. And if the comments, DMs, and emails are any indication, they’re also looking for permission to do so. That’s exactly why this conversation with Katrina Jones on DEI After 5 hit such a nerve. It’s one of our most-watched episodes, and it makes sense—this is the stuff so many of us have been trying to name. That quiet unraveling you fee...

When most people think about workplace safety, they imagine hard hats, ergonomic chairs, or maybe active shooter drills. What rarely comes up—but absolutely should—is how people feel at work. And that’s where psychosocial hazards come in. These aren’t just buzzwords or boxes to check. Psychosocial hazards are the silent threats that show up in how power is distributed, how people are treated, and...

We talk a lot about burnout, disconnection, and disengagement at work—but we don’t talk enough about how community can be the antidote. In this episode of DEI After 5 , I share some reflections on how easy it is—especially for middle managers—to feel like you're carrying the load alone. You're expected to show up for everyone else, but who’s holding space for you ? That’s where community comes in....

In this re-release of my conversation with Amy Waninger, we’re revisiting a topic that’s even more urgent today than when we first recorded it: the vital role middle managers play in building inclusive, psychologically safe workplaces—and the real cost when they’re left out of the conversation. The Reality Behind the Rhetoric It’s easy to talk about inclusion at the top. Executive teams set strate...

Let’s be real—what’s happening in the world doesn’t stop at the office door. We don’t get to hang our worries on a hook next to our coats and step into a perfectly insulated work bubble. And yet, too often, that’s exactly what workplaces expect us to do. In this week’s episode of DEI After 5 , I’m talking about the impact of external events—whether they’re global, national, or deeply personal—and...