Different People

After Dr. Carey Yazeed's article on how Brene Brown's concept of vulnerability can be dangerous went viral on social media, she, Sana Mahboob, Natalie Bell and I had a live zoom panel discussion. This topic has had many people of color relate and many others frustrated. Tune into this almost hour long captivating discussion on vulnerability and safety for marginalized people of colour.

In this last episode of season 3, Sana Mahboob, Senior Communications Advisor for Western Economic Diversification Canada and Dr. Abdulrehman talk about the agony of emotional (and often free) labour in consistently helping people/leaders “get it” when it comes to racism. They hash out the difference between being digestible and breaking your identity into small pieces until it eventually disintegrates into the larger enveloping culture. They place a great emphasis on the listening skills needed in the conversations well meaning people and leaders need to truly understand the lived experience of marginalized people. Season 4 coming soon. Don't forget to share these episodes to improve the necessary conversations needed to resolve racism.

Racism in North America is the best kept secret. What does that mean in an age when we see it all over the news? Sana Mahboob, Senior Communications Advisor for Western Economic Diversification Canada, and Dr. Abdulrehman discuss this, and burden of needing to always represent well. They also discuss how the messaging on multiculturalism needs to go beyond fitting a stereotype or defying it by abandoning culture. And because there just had to be a food reference, they discuss how baklava can lead to bias. Bold statements for a simple half hour. Tune in to find out more.

In the literal business of helping make change, Drs. Gregory Pennington and Rehman Abdulrehman talk about the challenges they face as professionals of colour in this second part of their conversation. Though doing the work of consulting is so very important, and despite any privilege gained through experience and education, Greg and Abdulrehman discuss how at times one can doubt how to respond to racism or ignorance, but how to respond in a way that makes the change “digestible”. In this process lies the concern of how authentic of a response we could have without coming across as the angry person or colour, and putting our own emotions and understandable responses in the backseat.

Who and what determines your identity? And how does that identity make you at risk to be the target of racism amidst scarcity? Dr. Gregory Pennington, managing partner of Pennpoint Consulting and fellow consulting psychologist joins Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman in the first of two parts of their conversation. This discussion of identity also leads to how as people of color in the profession of making change, we hold both challenges of being seen as the exception to others from our community (“the good -insert identity here -”) and the frustration of needing to manage authenticity of reactions to that to facilitate change. Part two (episode 8) of this conversation is going to take a deeper dive into this.

In this second part of a conversation between Anishinaabe community leader, and director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project and host Dr. Abdulrehman, they address the ever popularized concept of vulnerability, but with a realistic twist. They discuss how vulnerability is an asset of privilege, and how non racialized people have the choice to be vulnerable whereas people of color are forced into vulnerability. They discuss how systems abuse that vulnerability and how it's used to keep people of colour working from a position of scarcity. Diane and Abdulrehman also relate to the experience of colonialism as an indigenous person and an immigrant. Join them in this strikingly honest and brave conversation on the truth of the experience of indigenous and people of colour.

Anishinaabe community leader, and director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project joins host Dr. Abdulrehman in the first of a two part discussion. Amidst the ongoing discovery of mass graves of children at residential schools marking a Canadian genocide against Indigenous People, and politicians suggesting residential schools were “well-meaning”, Diane and Abdulrehman discuss how these graves were long known to indigenous communities and how the minimization of the crimes against humanity is what sparks emotion. They speak about the relatability of colonialism from the perspective of first peoples and immigrants leaving colonized countries to settle yet in another such country. And they begin most importantly by talking about leading with cultural identity, and if the question, “where are you from?” is an insult or an opportunity to demonstrate pride in who we really are.

The 2nd part of a conversation with guest, Shreeraj Patel, Vice President, Royal Bank of Canada. You thought the first part was upfront and raw? This episode Shreeraj and Abdulrehman go deeper and discuss the barriers people of color and people from cultural communities face in the business world and general community - including their own personal challenges. They also discuss the impact the business world can have on inclusion and what practical things businesses can do to improve racism.

Conversation with guest, Shreeraj Patel, Vice President, Royal Bank of Canada. Part 1 of 2. Shreeraj and Abdulrehman discuss the impact of the terrorist attack on the Muslim South Asian family in London Ontario, but also the ongoing more silent hate crimes and racism experienced by communities of colour. They address the urgent need for change, the barriers faced by both racialized and non-racialized people and what it is leaders need to do to prevent hate crimes - be they a slow or tragic sudden death.

Part 2 of a conversation with guest Soo Kim, Executive Director for the Office of Transformation. Soo & Abdulrehman follow through on the discussion of relatability between people of colour, but discuss how we can extend that relatability to all people; racialized or not. Soo describes this as a “Utopia”, but we talk about how getting there is tied to justice, reconciliation and an understanding of the trauma racism (intentional or not) causes.

Conversation with guest Soo Kim, Executive Director for the Office of Transformation. Part 1. Soo & Abdulrehman discuss the experiences of scanning a room for other people of colour, finding instant relatability and the reasons for why many people of colour find kinship in each other. And just because it's unavoidable we briefly talk about men and covid hair.

Update on Season 3.

Being coached doesn't always lead to big insights or changes, but it does reveal what is most important to us. Listen in to this candid coaching conversation in which lisa explores Rehman's experience of the invisible work all diversity and inclusion practitionners do as part of their support to others. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at www.differentpeople.ca :: Instagram @different.people.podcast :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

In the category of now-for-something-completely-different, Rehman coaches lisa on what relatability and allyship look like—and mean—when you're a white woman working in the area of diversity, inclusion and equity. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at www.differentpeople.ca :: Instagram @different.people.podcast :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

In our last episode of 2020, Rehman and lisa take on Christmas as a form of systemic racism. We know this is a strong perspective to take, but hear us out. We'd love your feedback. Also, to watch the full talk Rehman gave at the United Way Summit Series in Winnipeg, click here. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at www.differentpeople.ca :: Instagram @different.people.podcast :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

What is whiteness? In this episode, Rehman and lisa examine whiteness not as a skin colour, but as a concept, a standard, a norm and a structure—and how it shapes the world we live in, whether at work, in our traditions or in how we relate to one another. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at www.differentpeople.ca :: Instagram @different.people.podcast :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca :: Mentioned in this episode: www.winnlove.ca and www.laylafsaad.com

Feedback: sometimes it helps you grow, other times it hurts. When you are working to change organizational culture, and participants in your workshop write comments in anonymous evaluations that hint at systemic racism or are thinly veiled personal attacks, it can trigger feelings of upset and distress. Join Rehman and lisa in a vulnerable, heart-felt conversation on the emotional impact of stepping into Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organizational change work. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at www.differentpeople.ca :: Instagram @different.people.podcast :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

What will it take to make our organizations inclusive? And how to launch change initiatives that go beyond a checklist of tactics that appear to institute change (hiring targets, unconscious bias training, pledges signed by CEOs), to instead invite people, particularly leaders, into the uncomfortable internal work of changing their beliefs, mindsets and behaviours? In this episode, Rehman and lisa delve into the biggest barrier to organizational culture change: the common and pervasive belief that what needs changing is outside of us. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

Leadership... organizational culture... engagement at work: These are the themes we will explore through a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging lens as we step into season two. In this kick-off, Rehman and lisa look at the role of leaders, and what it will take to change systems and cultures at work where bias is entrenched—and how we might go about doing that. Specifically: how do we go from bandage solutions (like posting black squares in social media or signing off on a new hiring policy) to revealing and shifting the privilege that keeps systemic racism in place at the office, the factory and the zoom call. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

The final episode of Season One: what we learned, what we missed and where we hope to go in season two. In particular, we touch on why we, and others who talk about Diversity and Inclusion, don't give in to requests to focus on the positive as we see it as a diversion from continuing to focus on what needs to change. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

GUEST INTERVIEW: Amira Elghawaby is a Canadian human rights advocate, widely published writer and TEDx speaker. In this episode, Rehman and lisa explore Amira's experience of wearing a hijab as an act of feminism as well as an act of worship, and hear her speak about her father's questioning of why she would create reasons for people to discriminate against her by choosing to wear one. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca :: Find Amira at amiraelghawaby.net

GUEST INTERVIEW: In this episode, Rehman and lisa are thrilled to welcome the Director of Engagement and Inclusion at CBC, Nick Davis. Hear us explore how bias and racism is inherent in schools, the workplace and in our communities—and listen in as Nicky and lisa touch on the dynamic between Black men and white women. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

Anger and defensiveness often characterize conversations about race and difference. Listen in as Rehman and lisa talk about the frustrations of leaders who are People of Colour when they are used as examples of how racism can't be all that bad, given how successful they are. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

Feeling vulnerable and afraid of speaking up when it comes to racism, oppression, injustice and inequality is common. This episode looks at how we can create the space for white people to work through their anxiety of saying/not saying and doing/not doing the "right thing" so we can move from fear to understanding, connection and action. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

Following weeks of protests and demands for justice for Black, Brown and Indigenous People around the world, Rehman and lisa talk about white supremacy, white privilege and white fragility, and how to create space to have these difficult but necessary conversations. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

GUEST INTERVIEW: Rehman and lisa in conversation with Michele Byrne, a Diversity and Inclusion practitioner based in Toronto. We explore the impact of white supremacy in our culture, and its impact on the everyday lives of People of Colour. This podcast was recorded after Ahmed Aubrey was shot and killed while out on a run, but before George Floyd was suffocated to death by a white police officer, and Breonna Taylor was shot and killed, also by police, while asleep in her own home. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

In this episode, Rehman and lisa explore the desire to have empathy and understanding about differences, yet fear the wrong thing will come out of our mouths and we will offend. We also talk about how systems (like the western holiday calendar based on Christian cultural traditions) are so entrenched that we fail to see how they make outsiders of people with different cultural and religious values. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

This episode explores what it means to be a professional, when much of what passes for professional behaviour and attire is often "white" or informed primarily by western culture. We also talk about how our experiences of either being an immigrant (Rehman), or the child of immigrants (lisa) influenced the education and careers we chose, and how these choices were heavily influenced by our parents. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca

In this very first episode, hosts Rehman and lisa introduce themselves and the podcast, and talk about how each of them first learned they themselves were different: Rehman as a person of color, immigrant and a Muslim living in Winnipeg, Canada, and lisa as the child of German immigrants growing up in a small French-speaking town in Québec, also in Canada. :: Post Production by jonathanle.net :: Music theme by blueimusic.com :: Learn more about us at differentpeople.ca :: Reach lisa and Rehman at podcast@differentpeople.ca