Sway Them in Color

In this episode me and my guest Aurora Higgs have such a rich conversation that beginning with Aurora's experiences and insights as a transgender individual, activist, and performer. Aurora is an activist and advocate, appointed to Virginia's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board and elected Vice Chair, and is a scholar studying for a PhD in Queer Black Media Representation, as well as a performer and content creator hoping to uplift Black trans voices and challenges. In this conversation we explore + How radical self-acceptance is the first step to real healing  + Why we need to separate morality from appearances and how people look + How pressures to conform ultimately harm people and how courage is really about honesty + Why intentionally building affirming community can save us in a time of alienation  

his episode is all about loss. Trigger warning we talk about death, covid, and overcoming with my guest Ada Chen, who is the founder of Chuan's Promise, a sustainable natural skincare line. Her mission is to make the world a better place through leadership, empathy, and driving cultural change. She was inspired to start Chuan's Promise by her experience of caregiving for her late dad, and is committed to changing the beauty industry from the inside out by pioneering innovative sustainability practices and donating 5% of all sales to social justice nonprofits.  In this conversation we explore: + navigating being your parent's caretaker  + using values to make tough decisions during unpredictable transitions  + how adversities and tragedy can provide unexpected inspiration for your personal mission + how our workplaces can play a better role to support people who are caregivers or experiencing loss 

In this episode my guest Nike Anani and I speak about her journey of leaving a cushy corporate job in London to move back to Lagos, Nigeria to work in her family business.  Nike is an international award-winning entrepreneur, succession specialist and a legacy planning expert for future-focused business families. She is on a mission to help businesses move from lifetime to legacy, such that they build family enterprises of the future. With over a decade of family enterprise expertise in Nigeria, Nike helps owners lead their family organizations to long-term legacy and impact. Her inside experience as a second generation family business owner and family office pioneer birthed a passion to help other families in building enterprises that would outlive them. Nike is the Author of "Lifetime to Legacy: A New Vision for Multigenerational Family Businesses" and the host of "The Connected Generation" podcast - a top-10 Family Business podcast globally that is dedicated to NextGens that are seeking how to navigate building generational enterprises whilst leaving an impact. In this conversation we explore: + bridging divides between older generations and younger generations in the workplace. + how to get someone to buy into a change or new idea they may be resistant to. + the three things every entrepreneur needs especially if they want to work with family. 

In this episode my guests Misasha Suzuki Graham and Sara Blanchard are founders of an amazing podcast titled Dear White Women. Misasha is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, a practicing litigator for over 15 years, who is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a facilitator, writer, and speaker regarding issues of racial justice, especially with regards to children, the co-author of Dear White Women: Let's Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism, and the co-host of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast.  Sara Blanchard helps build community and connection through conscious conversations, which she does as a facilitator, TEDx speaker, writer, and consultant. After graduating from Harvard and working at Goldman Sachs, Sara pursued the science and techniques of well-being and is a certified life coach, author of two books (Flex Mom and Dear White Women: Let's Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism), and co-host of Dear White Women, an award-winning weekly social justice podcast.  In this conversation we explore: + why so many people are resistant and uncomfortable with naming whiteness as an identity  + why DEI work is really about power  + why understanding history will make you a more conscious, and inclusive person  + how social change is not about appealing to the most hateful person in the room

In this episode we explore authenticity in all its varieties and understandings. Sherri is a leader, Speaker, and Author who lives to help others see their own authentic gifts and then teach them to use it to level up their lives and their businesses. She's the CEO of Dymond Enterprise and the Business Development Director for a charity that empowers youth to see beyond their circumstances to lead authentically. In this conversation we explore: + Defining what authenticity really means when we have so many vague definitions  + why we don't need safe spaces but brave spaces to even be authentic  + how we can reframe and overcome the fear of rejection when being our authentic selves 

In this episode we explore when my guest Janet Alexandersson created 40 frameworks on topics like justice, conflict, power, which she thought would take years but was able to achieve this goal in just created in 4 months. She holds a master of laws degree and her strategy and negotiation acuity is the combined result of 15+ years of multi-faceted experiences in the legal field. Janet has been a startup legal advisor, legal marketing strategist, human rights lawyer, civil and family law litigator, nonprofit executive, grant writer, speaker, and workshop facilitator.  In this conversation we explore + Why frameworks can change your life + How we each have different levers and layers of power we may not recognize  + why knowing your values is key to not be driven by fear and anxiety with every decision 

In this episode my guest is Umbreen Bhatti who decided to stop wearing a hijab after it was a central part of her identity for a significant portion of her life. We discuss this journey and process of reframing her commitment to faith in her personal and professional life.  Umbreen Bhatti has had a career focused on answering the question of what might our most important institutions be able to achieve when they truly reflect their constituencies and the communities they serve? She's explored that question as a lawyer, then through journalism and media, and now in higher education, with a goal of connecting people and ideas and creating generous, generative spaces and supports for great people to take great work to the next level. She's now the Director of the Athena Center for Leadership at Barnard College. In this conversation we explore + how traditions around religion and community can influence our sense of self + how our self-expression and identity changes over the course of our lives. + surviving the microaggressions that can occur when expressing your authentic self outside of dominant cultural norms. + how we can make decisions and reshape faith from a place of abundance instead of fear.

In this episode my guest is Julissa Contreras, and after being laid off from WeWork in May 2020 she decided to file a police report about a sexual assault experience she had unconsciously buried in an attempt to stay focused on her career. This episode hits such a wide range of necessary ideas from safe relationships to redefining success for ourselves.  Julissa Contreras is a Dominicana from the Bronx who works to facilitate dialogue and create art that raises overlooked experiences. With a focus on storytelling, program development, and community curation, Julissa collaborates with organizations and artists on opportunities that influence pathways for meaningful change. Previously Julissa was the former Community and Impact Program Manager at WeWork, Operations Manager at Donorly, and Adolescent Leadership Program Manager at Children's Aid Society- Hope Leadership Center. She is the creator of Ladies Who Bronché the podcast and YouTube's “Shit Spanish Girls Say” and continues her work as a creative writer, performer, and creative consultant. In this conversation we explore: + the difference between using empathy as a weapon to shut down needed conversations versus practicing compassionate empathy that bridges divides + why generational survival techniques that worked in the past can harm us in the present  + why dominant narratives around gender hold us all back from our full potential  + the ways success can be redefined from hyper competition to abundance for us all to thrive

In this episode we explore when my guest Nancy Soni sought out a hypnotherapist to help her reprogram deep-seated beliefs from childhood that created mental blocks to building her professional brand. Nancy is the CEO/Co-Founder of PathMatch, the first decentralized career management network for Gen Z.  They help today's students navigate tomorrow's workforce to build the skills and experience they need to be competitive while making it easier for companies to hire them for paid internships and great jobs.  Previously, Nancy started a tech-enabled recruiting platform, to helped companies such as Warby Parker, Amazon, Snap, and Bonobos hire thousands of people. which was acquired in 2017. Nancy holds a BA in Psychology from Emory University. In this conversation we explore: + reprogramming limiting thoughts that can follow us from childhood. + the things that need to change in the venture capital world especially when it comes to how we treat women owned businesses. + why you need to think about building your own brand even if you don't own or run a business.

In this episode we explore my guest Monisha Bajaj's experiences with running relationship and sexual violence prevention programs that go against some of conservative cultural norms in Thailand where her organization is based. If you've wanted to understand how to address tricky conversations and conflicts in a community or group, or how to build safe relationships, this is your episode. Monisha is a strategy execution consultant and founder. She works with founders 1:1 to guide them through expanding their business' capacity while protecting their well-being. Before this, she founded Ruam Chuay Foundation, an organization that runs relationship violence prevention programs in Thailand. Monisha's career is dedicated to helping people create healthy businesses and safer relationships. In this conversation we explore + the benefits and challenges of going against a cultural norm and social expectations.  + how understanding attachment theory (how your earliest relationships affect how you approach relationships) can improve how you connect with others. + how a business is a network of relationships and how we interact in those relationships create culture.  + why we shouldn't avoid conflict and ways we can better manage it in a diverse group.

In this episode we explore when my guest Trish Boes quit her full-time job after suffering from severe burnout. Not only did she quit she also then did went against the grain of how she was raised to study spiritual psychology. Trish Boes is a leadership coach and learning & development consultant who empowers individuals and organizations to become more self-aware and purpose-driven in order to make a lasting impact. Trish focuses on building dynamic leadership programs that support inclusion, connection, and employee empowerment, and has delivered workshops to thousands of people globally, including for corporate clients like NBCUniversal, Bustle and Amobee. Trish is an ICF certified professional Ontological coach, has a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology, and has over 15 years of experience in the digital marketing and technology industries, including 10+ years dedicated to executive development and L&D. You can check her out on Linkedin or Instagram. In this conversation we dive into: + the benefits of spiritual psychology to reduce burnout  + the 3 life questions we're all trying to answer to find deeper meaning in our lives. + why understanding the beliefs of your inner child can positively change your life.  + how the more you heal yourself the more impact you can have on others in your work.

In this episode we explore when my guest Deepali Vyas experienced sexual harassment while working for a recruiting firm in her early career and when she left the firm and started her own business, her former company sued her for a non-compete. If you've ever wanted to get the courage to stand up to a company with a toxic culture, this is the episode for you. Deepali Vyas is the Founder & CEO of Fearless+ a platform to help young people create a modern portfolio and showcase their identities to the world while learning professional and life skills, and she has over 22 years of experience in executive search and leadership coaching working with Fortune 500 clients such as JP Morgan, Google, Tesla, Microsoft, and Fidelity to name a few. She's interviewed over 40,000 executives in her professional career and as a mother to an 11-year old, she's always thinking about how the next generation will embrace their future potential.  In this conversation we explore: + how power starts with understanding how the legal, financial, and workplace systems work around us. + why getting the courage to stand up against people more powerful than you can start with knowledge and collecting proof. + how authenticity can't happen without a safe space first. + why it's important to own your narrative, so that others don't assume it for you.

In this episode we explore when my guest while working in architecture and urban planning, wrestled with the perception of being a black woman with an attitude, navigated the protection of white fragility, and ultimately was faced with the most impactful situation of her early career, addressing when a colleague used the "N" word, the pain of this experience informed her next career move into operations and people & culture.  Pascale Joseph is a people ops, DEIB, and organizational culture professional who focuses on the personal and professional development of organizations and individuals. She leads and coaches by implementing practices of liberation psychology, trauma-informed organizational management, and intentional leadership framed through vulnerability, authenticity, and empathy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and a Master of International Development, Urban Affairs & Planning from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently pursuing a PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership.

My guest on the Sway Them in Color Podcast today exemplifies walking the talk, as we explore when he took an act of courage by walking away from a 2 million dollars venture capital offer because it wasn't in alignment with his values. Davion Ziere, aka Zi who goes by the pronouns: we/us/ours/and he is the Founder of Origyn and Illuminator of the Origyn model, which is an Online community-based marketplace that sources from traditionally marginalized suppliers, empowers consumers to track their economic footprint and shop in greater alignment with their values, and re-invests back into the communities the platform serves as the platform grows. Zi is an artist, serial post-growth entrepreneur, and writer, and was formerly #1 Sales Leader for TESLA and has both successfully generated millions of dollars through his startups and turned down millions of dollars from investors who were not aligned with his organization's values. Zi has successfully empowered organizations, artists, students, and many more to be their best selves not only by traditional metrics of success, but also in alignment with clear values. In this conversation we explore + why survival is a driving factor of perpetuating the status quo  + how even marginalized people can perpetuate inequitable practices if they aren't conscious of the systems around them  + how curiosity is a tool that can help you not only survive but thrive when experiencing uncertainty  + 3 key things all leaders need to reach their fullest potential   + what love teaches us about work

In this episode of Sway Them in Color I speak with my homie Ron Johnson. Ron Johnson is a curator of entrepreneurial experiences. His business Triton Consulting NYC empowers individuals to prepare for success through uncertainty by investing in themselves and generating multiple streams of income. His youth entrepreneurship program, the Triton Pilot Program, transforms youth across the country, from students to CEOs of their future. In this conversation we cover: How your own personal story can you give you clarity when you need to make a major change or pivot in life Why endings can be a good thing  Why vulnerability is a strength and is a key to your creativity

When you’re raised as the only Black family for miles, in a place like Ogden Utah that has very little racial diversity, as a Black person, you get used to being ignored. The book Invisible Man should have had a sequel titled, “Invisible Children: the training guide for colored kids who are confused by white avoidance.” This erasure and feeling of invisibleness isn’t just unique to my upbringing. For Black individuals, the erasure of culture, complexity of identity outside of stereotypes, and a lack of Black history taught outside of oppression or slavery creates barriers to a healthy sense of self and fuels the biases that keeps society inequitable. I was recently inspired to contribute a new narrative to the concept of Blackness by asking my friends and family who are Black to answer the simple question “What do you love about being black?” Their answers were inspirational, funny, informative, universal, as well as unique, and a balance to the traumatic images, negative stories, an imbalanced emphasis on Black pain, Black violence, Black erasure, and Black oppression shared on a daily basis. Those stories are important to share, but they are not the only narrative in the bigger story about Black culture. The best way to change the status quo and create true understanding and belonging is to redefine narratives. This episode is one small step towards that redefinition. Take a listen to writers, an actor, public speaker, entrepreneurs, and makers who share their stories about what they love about being Black, in a world and society that many times makes it difficult to affirm ourselves.

In this episode of Sway Them In Color I speak with Tony Chatman. Tony has worked with hundreds of corporations and government agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, Dept. of Homeland Security, Chase Bank, Estee Lauder, N.O.A.A. and N.A.S.A. to help people reach new heights of effectiveness by understanding themselves and others better. As a corporate relationship expert and leadership keynote speaker, his passion is contagious and his messages provide practical, usable knowledge that people implement immediately for business and personal success. Currently, Tony serves as a board member for the Captain Phillips Lane Kirkland Maritime Trust. Tony recently completed his first book: The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins and in 2018 he delivered his first TEDx talk – How to Stop Settling for Less. In this discussion we dive into: why pursuing character over cash leads to positive outcomes and fulfillment.  dealing with microaggressions why productivity and performance at work is all about relationships  how to navigate change and risk when you're terrified of the outcome 

In this episode of Sway Them In Color I speak with Zena Hanna founder of Zena Digital Group. With over ten years of digital media experience under her belt, she wanted to start an agency that had a different face as the CEO. Having worked within verticals ranging from fashion and luxury while living in Milan, to social impact and education, she’s realized that brands want an agency partner that is skilled, integrated, innovative, involved and, with what we bring to the table: diverse. Her agency has worked with The Marriot, Real Brewed Tea, The Assemblage, and The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. In this convo we speak on: risk taking as an immigrant  why respect can be hard to come by in traditional work settings and is the most important aspect of a healthy culture the unique challenges and opportunities this time of social distancing creates 

In this episode of Sway Them in Color I speak with Oshoke Pamela Abalu, an architect and futurist, who was the Chief Architect for MetLife’s $1 billion inclusive workplace redesign. She pioneers human-centered design solutions that infuse consciousness, energy flow, and inclusivity into global workplace transformations. She is a gifted design thinker and diversity advocate who has moved the needle, shattered glass ceilings, and enabled a broader conversation on diversity for organizations. Faculty member at The Inner MBA and a Crain’s 40 Under 40 honoree, Oshoke and her work have been featured in TIME, Smart Planet, Real Simple Magazine, Domino Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, ABC, NBC, Fast Company, TED and more. In this conversation we discuss: how our families of origin impact our life paths  how to change the narrative on your abilities when changing careers  3 principles for being more inclusive and purpose driven in your work why we need new terms for diversity and belonging and how the term symphony showcases inclusion as the greatest innovation. 

Dr. Akilah Cadet is the founder of Change Cadet consulting, which offers a broad array of services including executive coaching, strategic planning, innovation, and diversity facilitation. Cadet is a French term that means soldier (and happens to be Akilah's last name). As it's often an uphill battle for women and people of color to achieve success in the workplace, Change Cadet prepare soldiers of change to overcome these continuous battles to be their best selves. Akilah has 15+ years of experience working in various organizations, with both private and public sector companies. She has literally all the degrees, lives in Oakland, and is a proud Beyoncé advocate. In this episode of Sway Them In Color Dr. Cadet and I get into: Managing severe depression and microaggressions with health practitioners  How bias can show up in so many unexpected places, from therapists to bosses How conformity is false sense of professionalism  When to walk away from money especially when it is out of line with your values Why we shouldn't code switch, even in predominantly white male leadership circles  Why you should always negotiate for your financial worth, whether taking a new job or selling services from your company 

Oppression pass (n): a term I’ve coined about the belief that because you are liberal, marginalized yourself, like black people/have one black friend/ are married to a black person/have black children you don’t participate in or perpetuate in white supremacy. My dear friends, I’m here to let you know oppression passes are being handed out like it’s six flags, but they don’t exist. In this episode of Sway Them In Color I unpack five key narrative myths many liberal people, in particular white people, believe around racism that keeps white supremacy alive including: myth 1: if I know/am married to/friends with a black person, I am not racist myth 2: systemic racism doesn't exist, social outcomes are always from individual effort/character flaw myth 3: the only form of protest that's acceptable is peaceful protest myth 4: I am marginalized myself (gay etc) I can't be racist myth 5: I identify as a liberal thus I am not racist Take a dive in, listen, learn, and share. For every gain in human rights, we have always had set backs. After slavery was banned, Jim crow was born. After the voting rights act of '65, states used loop hole measures to make voting damn near impossible for marginalized groups empowered by the act to go to the polls. Our system has never been designed with equality in mind and has terrorized black folks for centuries. It has never worked for everyone especially public policy, police, and the justice system. The silver lining in strife is busting narrative myths allows us to build a new reality. People of color, especially black people, are painfully aware of how broken it’s always been, so now we need to design something new and white people must be deeply involved in examining themselves and their own ideology for white supremacy to truly change. 

With every growth spurt I’ve gone through, both physically and mentally, there’s been a mark left it its wake, a story no longer fitting cast aside. When we cast off rituals or social expectations that don’t feel good, or match who we’ve become, what new stories do we adopt to chase our curiosity and build the lives/businesses/world we want to see? In this episode of Sway Them In Color Georgie-Ann Getton-Mckoy discuss these ideas, diving into: figuring out what seems impossible with limited resources and access how the skills of motherhood translate to powerful skills at work  why curiosity and learning is a critical tool for expanding your network even if you're an only (only woman, only person of color etc) in the groups you're entering into. Georgie-Ann Getton-Mckoy is an Execution strategist, married mom of 2, serial entrepreneur, community builder, speaker, author, & Diversity in Tech Enthusiast. She loves learning as well as teaching new and creative ways to find solutions to problems. She is here to help others become more productive, execute on their ideas, & go from being a dreamer to being a doer. You can find her work online at https://gsdwithgeorgie.com and @gsdwithgeorgie on IG, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  

I can’t tell you the number of times I have talked with friends about social and political issues with deep sadness and anguish. From white nationalist protestors, hate crimes against innocent black men and women, incompetent leaders, to the imminent tension of racism and unaddressed social wounds this country has, there’s a lot of generational pain bubbling to the surface. Social media gives us a window into this pain with a 24/7 cycle of information. Adversity can be channeled and processed through creativity, and there’s incredible power in our own stories. In this episode of Sway Them In Color I speak to Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of New York Time’s bestselling anti-helicopter parenting manifesto, How to Raise an Adult, and of award-winning memoir, Real American, on growing up Black and biracial in white spaces. Juile has also given a TED Talk that has over 4 million views and counting. As a former corporate lawyer and university dean, she’s now entirely focused on writing and ideas and is inspired by people who tell their stories. In this conversation we discuss: how racism affects self esteem  discovering your true identity beyond other people's judgements and biases  creative expression as a form of healing from injustice and working through pain and suffering through writing the best thing leaders can do to better engage other people's talents no matter their background or title You can check out her work at julielythcotthaims.com at @jlythcotthaims on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Pain is something we take large precautions to avoid. The psychical pain of accidents, ill health, and pushing our bodies to our limits. The mental pain of stress, fear, betrayal, and turmoil.  Pain is complex, at times it’s unavoidable, seeping into your bones and mind. We cannot control how pain occurs, but we can control how we react to it.   In this conversation of Sway Them In Color I speak with Alanna Gardner, a therapist, fitness instructor, and heart attack survivor who uses her background to help individuals become emotional athletes; developing the skills and tools necessary to have emotional resilience throughout life's most difficult challenges. We discuss: the term "emotional athleticism" and how it can help you face challenges in life how the ways we respond to adversity shape the trajectory of our lives how to build resiliency during a major setback how society knocks the sensitivity out of people how being able to sit with pain is a part of the healing process 

What do you do when life hands you a big ol’ stanky basket of lemons? You make the most delicious remixed lemonade (with probably a splash of whiskey). In this episode of Sway them my Color my guest and I dive into her journey of building a career during the 2008 economic crisis, and how she went from odd jobs to tech giants and is now in the innovation space. We discuss: bouncing back after a rescission why balancing stability and flexibility when going through periods of growth and change is key to survival  why ego driven leadership is bad for innovation and what actually works   Brittney Dimes is a thirteen year Austin veteran by way of Houston. During this time she’s owned and operated a national pageant system, worked for tech giants like Google, Favor and Bumble, all the while building a mobile bar catering business in the background, Party Pulse, which is growing every day. And is now the acting Director of Operations for Thinktiv, a value-driven innovation firm that partners with Private Equity leaders, VC-funded companies, and Early-Stage founders to create what's next. You can learn more about her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/partypulseatx/ or @b.dimes on Instagram

My relationship with my body and health is a complicated one. There are days where I feel strong, and curvy and sexy. I can kill an HIIT class. I’m at the top of intense spin classes on leaderboards. I can squat over 150 and-some change-pounds. But I have days where I weigh myself non-stop, grapple with every morsel that comes into my mouth, and beat myself up for not being whatever conventional idea of being “thin enough” and what defines healthy that day (which I’m sure 99.9% of people can relate to). We live in a system where health is an all or nothing conversation of punishment or morale failure, and it takes up so much of people's mental energy and vitality worrying about it.  In this episode of Sway Them In Color I speak with fitness instructor and business owner Laci Chisholm who was inspired to create her dance company, Fit 4 Dance after having a major wake up call with a doctor about her health. We discuss how your interests in childhood can shed light on your career purpose, how to overcome self doubt, how a local library business plan competition helped her launch her company and how to take more risks, but also why you shouldn't just up and quit your job. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to turn around your health or turn your passion and personal problems into a tangible business, this is the episode to listen to.

Romantic love, that good good, is the type of love that’s fetishized as the ultimate achievement, the one type of love we must cherish and work on the most, so much so that a majority of the chatter in pop culture and society about love is centered in romantic love — how to get it, how to keep it, how to flip it and reverse it, how to bottle it, manipulate it, share it, why you want and need it, how you gone lose it — the list goes on. But love lessons typically come through a lot of trial, error, and a whole lot of tribulations (mm hmm sang it!). In this episode of Sway Them In Color I share 5 hard won lessons people don’t tell you about love including: why fighting is important and how to fight fair why knowing your attachment style is key to finding compatibility what to do when dealing with betrayal why you need to stop mind reading other people’s behavior

Racism and racist are triggering words. Use the R word and people clutch their pearls and run for the “not me, I’m not one of them!” hills no matter how accurate the term is to describe their behavior. The issue with this word to is it's ineffective as it's been declawed by racists who don't want the consequences of the correct labeling of their behavior, but refuse to own the truth of their racist thinking and communicating.  In this episode I make a hilarious case for the power of words, why we should rebrand racism and dive into:  why the term racist hasn't been rebranded since 1935 5 recently made up terms that shut down conversation on racism that are damn effective, from the term "snowflake" to "social justice warrior (SJW)" the wonderful, made up time of B.P.C -- Before Political Correctness how I wish my "race card" was an Amex why we can and should make up new words for the term racist and 3 new terms I created that gave me a deep belly laugh that people should causally start dropping in conversation when addressing racism  I also sing four part harmony for fun on the episode in honor of Black History Month.

My Afro has always generated conversations well before I did. Entering rooms, blocking pictures, catching sunlight and an array of other things I'd pull out of it in surprise. Since wearing my hair naturally for the past 11 years it’s been an extension of me that was much more than just incredibly curled follicles, and my guest today knows all about how much hair, especially curly hair and kinky hair, deeply affects our identities and how we show up in the world.  Kim Cowans is the founder of SKIMDO the first seven day hold hair product designed to give freedom from daily hair-styling by holding curls in flexible suspension for up to a week with no parabens, no formaldehyde, and no sulphates. She is of Russian and Jamaican descent, and was raised between England and Thailand. Four years after launching SKIMDO she moved to New York City to bring the brand to the American market, and the product has gained gained cult status use amongst stylists and influencers. Kim is now in the process of finding investment to expand her impact.  We dive into her journey of creating SKIMDO, from being fired from her job, to hiring chemists to help her concoct her dream product and along the way we talk about:  dealing with bullying in childhood  why travel can change your perspective of yourself in the best way why seeing yourself represented in the world really does matter and has an impact on your development  how a lack of solutions for your unique problem can be inspiration for creating something new  You can check out more about Kim at skimdo.com and on Instagram @skimdo. 

"Think about the next big risk you want to take. The thing that makes you feel like your stomach is doing a backflip and you may shit your pants. The one that's terrifying to you and you've been holding off on because you don't think you're ready or you're afraid of the no or having the door slammed in your face. I want you to think what's the worst thing that can happen if you decide to take this risk?" - Me! Rejection stangss honey, but our avoidance of rejection can be the most limiting thing crushing potential ideas and dreams. In this solo episode of Sway Them In Color, I share a personal story of how I was rejected from the singing competition The Voice in an audition in New York City and the key 3 things you must do to build a tolerance to getting rejected on the path of chasing your dreams and goals. If you want to do big things, you’ll have to get comfortable with facing some rejection, because there’s nothing in this damn world worth pursuing without some risk and potential rejection attached to it. I also sing a few times during this episode so if you want to hear a remixxx and experience me singing four part harmony with myself because I’m a damn fool, take a listen. 

We do it, we do it and we hope we do it well (shout outs LL Cool J), but we don’t talk about it. Sex plays such a massive role in our lives but there’s so much damn shame and secrecy and limiting beliefs about our attitudes, experiences, and wants when it comes to sex. That’s why I loved speaking with Dirty Lola, someone who has blazed a trail by combining entertainment with useful information helping people with their sexuality knowledge. She is a sex edutainer, speaker, and self-proclaimed dildo slinger. Known for her live sex ed Q&A show Sex Ed A Go-Go and as co-host of New York Magazine’s The Cut’s “Sex Probz” web series, Lola has spent almost a decade working to end stigma and shame surrounding sex and sexuality. We dive into her many creativity and leadership lessons of building a platform and show including: The coping mechanism of fantasy and creativity for dealing with trauma Building a career with a high school diploma and not finishing college  Why you should create regardless of if it’s going to blow up in popularity  Knowing when to take advice and when to ignore that shit when building your ideas  The power of your personality when creating a platform  How to get over envy and jealousy of other people’s careers through professional compersion (yasss) 

Labels make life simple but they provide so many stumbling blocks to truly understanding and connecting with one another. Anyone who leads has big ol' blind spots when it comes to relating to people, groups, and experiences not like their own, and my guest Rebekah "Bex" Boruki and I dive into the many ups and downs of diversity and inclusion, including:  + why admitting your mistakes and collaborating with people who can speak to what you don't know makes you a more powerful leader + how to build empathy and connection when people mess up + why learning about the lives and needs of people not like yourself isn't only imperative but a necessity for thriving  + the difference between diversity and inclusion   Rebekah “Bex” Borucki is a mother of five, TV host, meditation and yoga guide, birth doula, and author of You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life: Simple 4-Minute Meditations for Inspiration, Transformation, and True Bliss (Hay House 2017) and her brand new book, Managing the Motherload: A Guide to Creating More Ease, Space, and Grace in Motherhood (Hay House 2019). Her mission is to make mental health support and stress management tools accessible to all, especially BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color), LGBTQ+ folks, and other marginalized communities. Rebekah lives with her family and a barn-full of rescued farm animals on their 8-acre homestead in rural New Jersey. Follow her on Instagram @bexlife and Youtube YouTube.com/bexlife or her website bexlife.com.  

What does it mean to be a spiritual gangster and how can our spiritual life be integrated into our careers? That's what my guest Makhosi Candiss Pitts and I dive into on today's episode. Mahkosi left a Direct Sales business where she was the top 1% seller of a $250 million company in order to travel back and forth to Africa and become a fully-initiated shaman. I went alone, not knowing what to expect, and made it through incredibly challenging tests and trials others couldn't even imagine. We discuss this journey and also cover + dealing with death at a young age  + embracing your out of the box gifts  + trusting your own intuition and becoming a spiritual gangster  + how being your authentic self is one of your most powerful tools for influence and leadership  Makhosi Candiss Pitts now helps powerful, successful yet unfulfilled people uncover their Divine Purpose and create meaningful power, prosperity, and impact in the process. She uses her experiences of becoming a top sales consultant combined with her shamanic gifts to help people reprogram their mind to align with their Authentic Self & bring their unique character traits, skills, talents, and experiences out into the world. Science tells us that for a human to be born is a 1 in 3 trillion chance; Makhosi believes that each and every one of us can impact the world by being bold enough to embrace who we were born to be, not just who others think we should be. You can check her out on Facebook and Instagram FB @MakhosiCandiss and her website www.makhosi-candiss.com.  

Today is my birthday and I'm turning 32 seasoned, shea butter moist years of age. Every year during my birthday, I take the time to reflect on the past year, what I've learned, and how the hell I have survived one more glorious year on this rock revolving around the sun. From the age of 31 to 32 I took some of the biggest risks of my life - leaving my full time job, building my own company, creating and selling my ideas, speaking publicly on various stages, launching a podcast and more. In honor of this immense amount of risk and change I take this episode of the podcast to talk about the key things that helped me do the things that absolutely scared the shit out of me during this time, including:    + the power of self-reflective writing to rewrite your fears, and uncover your purpose  + why you should chase your curiosity to increase your happiness and get clarity when you're not sure what to do next + why your pain - especially if you're experiencing pains at your job - can be used as motivation towards your goals  + why making a plan is your fastest way to get out of a rut    Take a listen, and let's celebrate one more year in the books before this new decade of 2020 is upon us! 

We've all been taught that we should pick a lane when it comes to creativity and our careers, but what if that is wrong? What if the best thing you can do for your mental health and success is to pursue multiple paths, side hustles and creative outlets? that's what my guest Candace Hokhett-Henley and I explore in today's episode. We discuss redefining definitions of success and struggle, the wrong ways to build your network, what to do when the people you thought you could count on don't support you, overcoming negative self-talk, how creativity doesn't have to be painful but a spiritual expression, literally coloring outside of the lines and finding unconventional inspiration, navigating with jealousy and toxic competition, and how to deal with the negative sides of corporate America. we begin our conversation with Candace describing an act of creative courage she took with building her side hustle while working full time.    Candace Hoe-khett - Henley is a Culture Shaper, Story Teller, Community Builder and a Fashion Fit Expert here in NYC. BY DAY, she's a Consumer Insights Consultant, with a former trajectory at Macy's, BET, and Refinery29. Her mission-driven marketing research methods have produced cultural studies with: Macy's Plus Size Assortment Strategy and Latinx focused brand launch "Thalia",  At BET she and Twitter brought the story of the power of #BlackTwitter to life for brands. Her recent work at Refinery29 has informed editorial content redefining the Fertility Spectrum of women, as well as her recent project called Skin Deep, answering pressing questions for Black women looking to care for their skin with the proper support of Black skincare professionals. BY NIGHT, she's passionate about helping people live a whole life. In a former life she was a fashion buyer, and is now a Tailor based in Harlem. She also runs a collective of creatives called Connected Seams NYC, helping stitch side hustlers who are cut from all different cloths together to create REAL collaborations. Follow her at @cxstyles for market research consulting, tailoring, or for a good time with Connected Seams NYC. 

What do you do when you feel like you don't fit in, and you're not living up to your potential? Those questions propelled my guest Tayo Rockson to take some major risks that changed his life forever. Growing up as a child of a diplomat parent, Tayo moved to five countries and four continents and had a near death experience that became his wake up call. We discuss the impact of that experience, the beauty and power of not muting your identity for anyone else’s comfort, finding community when you feel like you don't fit in anywhere, surviving going broke and getting fired, navigating parental expectations of success, handling doubters, and swap hilarious stories and impressions about dealing with differences and the strengths of being an outsider.   Tayo Rockson is a storyteller, cultural translator, and brand strategist for change-makers on a mission to use his difference to make a difference.  He is a 4x TEDx speaker, the CEO of UYD Management, and the host of As Told by Nomads podcast. He's been named a "Top 40 Millennial Influencer" by New Theory magazine and is the author of Use Your Difference To Make A Difference a book on how to connect and communicate in a cross-cultural world. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter @tayorockson and peep his website and purchase his book at www.tayorockson.com. 

What does it truly take to create a path less trekked, especially a career path that's built on what society considers taboo?  That's what me and my guest Cameron Glover tackle in the first ever episode of Sway Them In Color. We we talk dick pics, setting boundaries, your worth not being just what you do, why social media unfairly limits the reach of sex professionals and sex educators, what you should do when you make a mistake as a leader, building a tolerance for everyone not liking you, knowing when to delegate and ask for help, how everyone is an expert in their own experiences, and why our ancestors who dealt with major adversity still had pockets of joy among so many other juicy topics. Grab a tea/water/whiskey or other favorite beverage and tune on in. Cameron Glover is a sex educator and entrepreneur helping other sexuality professionals create thriving online businesses. She's written for a variety of publications including Medium, Greatist, Playboy and more. She's also the creator of the "Sex Ed in Color" podcast, a show all about creating conversation around sexuality by centering sexuality professionals of color. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @BlkGirlManifest @sexedincolor and peep her website cameronglover.com