Underrepresented in Tech

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Michelle and Samah delve into the rising fear among women in the U.S. in the wake of political shifts and increasing hate speech. With real-life encounters, chilling societal trends, and candid discussions about gender equality, women's rights, and the responsibility of tech platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the conversation explores the intersect...

In this deeply personal episode, Michelle and Samah set aside the usual tech discussions to share their raw experiences as women navigating challenging times. From the impact of seasonal depression and political anxieties to the struggle for women's rights and equality, they explore the personal and collective burdens they face. They discuss the backlash against expressing opinions, the resurgence...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah dive into the world of accessible and inclusive design! They discuss the A11Y project, which aims to make digital spaces more welcoming for everyone. From smart product descriptions for those with low vision to avoiding stereotypical marketing and embracing diverse representations, they highlight practical steps and the importance of accessible online experience...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah chat with accessibility consultant Elena Brescacin, a blind advocate in the WordPress community, who shares her insights on digital accessibility for visually impaired users. She discusses her experiences with screen readers, website design, and WordPress improvements over nearly two decades. Elena also highlights the need for accessibility at events like WordCa...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss the importance of taking mental health days, especially when life's stresses—both personal and professional—become overwhelming. They share personal stories about balancing work, social pressures, and the impact of constant connectivity through social media and work apps. The conversation highlights the necessity of recharging, recognizing the signs of b...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss the ongoing lack of diversity in the tech industry, where only 15% of the workforce is from BAME backgrounds, and 19% are women. It discusses how this underrepresentation leads to biased technologies and overlooked needs, especially for minorities and women. The hosts examine the causes, such as non-diverse leadership and hiring biases, while sharing per...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah chat with Rachel Zoller and Joe Foster from the Roll Mobility app. They discuss accessibility challenges for wheelchair users, particularly with public spaces like Airbnb and hotels. The conversation highlights how the Roll app helps users find accessible locations and pushes businesses to improve. Rachel and Joe share stories of their experiences, emphasizing t...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss women's reproductive health, focusing on menstruation, reproductive rights, and societal pressures around motherhood. Michelle and Samah share personal experiences with painful periods while they highlight the stigma and growing trend of women choosing not to have children. The episode advocates for women's right to decide about their bodies and lives wi...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss self-advocacy with guest Shailvi Wakhlu. We share personal stories and offer practical tips on how advocating for yourself can help break through professional barriers, particularly for those in underrepresented communities and fields like tech. Shailvi, a best-selling author of the book Self-Advocacy, has also spoken at nearly 100 global conferences and...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah discuss the upcoming WordPress Accessibility Day, a 24-hour virtual event in October focused on improving web accessibility. Speakers Bet Hannon and Alexander Gonder share their roles in organizing and their motivations for advocating accessibility, emphasizing its benefits for all users. The event will feature sessions on inclusivity, practical tips, and legal...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah emphasize the global importance of educating women and girls, citing an article from The Steve Sinnott Foundation. We discuss and address broader international issues, such as forced marriages, poverty, and gender-based violence, which can be alleviated through education. We talked about the importance of educating women about health issues and the broader impac...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah explore why minorities are disproportionately targeted by cybercrime. They delve into the heightened vulnerability faced by people of color, Indigenous communities, and women, citing research that reveals higher rates of identity theft and financial fraud among these groups. The discussion highlights how social inequalities are reflected in online spaces, where...

When Simone Biles stepped away from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 she came under a lot of negative scrutiny, even though she made it clear that it was for her mental and physical health. If one of the most accomplished women in the world struggles with the stigma of self care, how much more difficult might it be for others of us to do the same? In this episode Samah and Michelle talk about mental wel...

In this episode, Samah and Michelle discuss gender issues in sports, mainly focusing on a female Algerian boxer, Iman Khelif, who faced accusations of not being a woman due to her high testosterone levels and muscular physique. We talked about the unfair treatment of women in sports, the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender norms, and the mental and emotional toll such scrutiny takes...

In this episode, Samah and Michelle speak with Kiera Howe, a trans woman in the WordPress and tech community about her transition while teaching tech, her acceptance in the community, and how her openness about transitioning has authentic power. We talked about why it's important to honor peoples' pronouns, and how many places are safe spaces, but valuing people and how we address them is importan...

Michelle and Samah welcome guests Nadia Maya Ardiani and Miriam Schwab to talk about women's head coverings (including hijab, scarves, and more), and why women choosing to honor their own heritage by wearing them should be accepted and allowed personal expression.

In this episode Michelle and Samah discuss a recent cover of The Economist magazine in which they portray a walker mobility device with the seal of the president of the United States affixed to it and the title "No way to run a country." To infer that disability should disqualify someone from leadership is absurd, and the discussion here will dig deeply into the topic.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle talk about a recent open letter to the organizers for WCEU 2025 from Shahjahan Jewel, in which he talks about WCEU 2025 coinciding with Eid al-Adha, a significant holiday for Muslims. He equates it as if WordCamp was to be held over Christmas. We discuss why honoring religious days is important, why faith should be considered when planning events, and how signif...

In this episode, Michelle and Samah talk with Kristina Louise Treadwell, owner of Web Pro Geeks. We discuss how she started her business, how she manages a team, and how she's used Underrepresented in Tech for hiring.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle talk about the digital divide - what it is, who it affects, and how it affects people on both sides. They discuss how lack of access is not a reflection on intelligence or ability, in spite of what politicians and those with privilege may think.

In this episode Samah and Michelle welcome david wolfpaw to the podcast where the discussion centers on Pride Month, but also outlines some of the challenges that those in the queer community still encounter in life and in the tech community. Special thanks to david for sharing with us and helping us to learn and grow.

From Harrison Butker's anti-feminist, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-abortion, anti-IVF, anti-surrogacy...well anti-almost-anything-he-doesn't-agree-with speech to the men who don't take no for an answer in DMs (and worse), Samah and Michelle not only understand when women say "they choose the bear," but themselves choose the bear, too.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle welcome Ruth Kalinka for a conversation around how language can support community - whether we learn additional languages for communication or rely on technology for the assist. Communication, however we achieve it, creates connection.

In this episode, Samah and Michelle discuss how underrepresentation isn't always something that can be seen. Neurodivergence, disability, mental health, LGBTQ+ status, and even ethnicity can never be assumed, and, in fact, should never be assumed. 

In this episode Samah and Michelle discuss the difference between cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation. While some things seem pretty obvious, sometimes the lines blur between what is acceptable, and what is not. Individual cultures and world locations come into play. The bottom line is always respect.