Diversity Episodes

Award-winning actress and filmmaker Belle Guillory discusses her journey as a rising star in Hollywood, the power of representation, and her commitment to uplifting messages in film and television. Belle shares insights into breaking through industry barriers, the importance of strong role models like Tracee Ellis Ross, and how she uses her craft to promote positive change, inclusion, and self-acceptance. This podcast episode is sponsored by*: Humanist Beauty - Beauty for your skin & soul, Human...

In this conversation, host Jennifer Norman and guest Tibisay Hernandez delve into the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They discuss the challenges faced by DEI programs, the importance of intentionality in creating effective initiatives, and the concept of a 'curious space' that fosters open dialogue. Tibisay emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize humanity and mental health in the workplace, arguing that a healthy work environment is essential for ...

Cheekbone Beauty founder Jenn Harpe r shares her inspirational journey from grappling with generational trauma to creating a beauty brand infused with indigenous culture and sustainability. Jenn's powerful story unfolds, revealing how Cheekbone Beauty is not just about makeup, but a platform for representation, generational healing, and fostering a connection with the earth through eco-conscious practices. Key topics include heeding your dreams, transformation through empowerment, conscious capi...

Certified Allyship Coach and author of the book Beyond Pronouns , Tammy Plunkett reveals her deeply personal journey of raising four LGBTQIA+ children, including two who are transgender. She shares insights on supporting each child’s unique path toward self-discovery and transition, highlighting the significance of empathy, communication, and creating supportive environments. This podcast episode is sponsored by*: Humanist Beauty - Beauty for your skin & soul, Humanist Beauty is clean, conscious...

What does it take to achieve your dreams in the face of fear and adversity? Fiona Demark has a lot to say on the subject. After all, she's a legally blind adventure coach and inspirational speaker who helps people gain focus and step into their own power. Having a disability since birth taught her to meet challenges head-on, step outside her comfort zone, build resilience, and plow fearlessly through obstacles. This podcast episode is sponsored by*: Billie - A female-first body brand built on pr...

Nichole Hamilton , aka The Kidz Coach, breaks the mold of your traditional pediatric therapist. Through intuitive modalities such as hypnotherapy, energy work, games, and active play, Nichole dives into enhancing kids' well-being so they feel loved, safe, and heard. In this episode, Nichole shares her own story of being an openly gay mum of three who has overcome addiction, self-sabotage, depression, and trauma. She reveals how she works with families to improve bonds of communication, and she o...

Marisa Hamamoto is a stroke survivor who had a passion for dancing since she was a little girl. Time and time again, the rejection she faced stifled her dream of becoming a professional dancer, so she decided to create her own unique dance company. Infinite Flow Dance was born from Marisa's belief that dance is for everyone — not just those with elite abilities. She sat down with Jennifer Norman to discuss her experiences of overcoming trauma and the lessons of resiliency she has learned as an i...

People with disabilities and those undergoing gender transition have often been overlooked by the beauty industry, but Trishna Daswaney wanted to change all that. She founded the non-profit Kohl Kares to provide free inclusive makeup workshops worldwide to people with unique needs, and her brand Kohl Kreatives sells adaptive beauty tools that help fund her workshops. In this episode, Trish reveals how and why she started her business, what people learn in Kohl Kares workshops, and the mindfulnes...

The world needs more people like Ian Bentley . With a background in business development and a passion to enact change, Ian, along with his wife Brittany, sold everything and moved from the comfort of their hometown in Santa Barbara California with their two young boys to Ethiopia. They adopted a daughter and learned about the local culture. In this episode, Ian tells the story of how he and his wife founded and successfully grew Parker Clay, a company built to create bags that showcase the fine...

Representation matters. For those of us who grew up not seeing ourselves reflected favorably on screens, it's refreshing to see things changing. Here to talk about her own experience as a South Asian Muslim actor is Farah Merani . Farah is a classically trained actor and creator, based between LA and Toronto who has performed on stage and on screen across North America, Europe, and Russia. She has appeared in AppleTV’s “SEE” and NBC-TV’s “Quantum Leap,” Shadowhunters, and Nikita. Farah has lived...

Meet Rach Wilson , founder of Divine Relating and a relationship coach for couples with autistic and/or special needs kids. Rach is a mum of 4. Her two youngest are both autistic and non-verbal, with diet limitations and sensory challenges. Rach’s own life experience has inspired her to focus on supporting couples who have the highest breakup rate – couples with special needs kids. In this episode, we talk about being a special needs parent, what self-care looks like when things get rough, and t...

Meet Alfredo Borowdowski! Alfredo is also known as “The Bipolar Rabbi.” In June 2013, Rabbi Alfredo was arrested for impersonating a police officer. Shortly after that, he was fired from his job and ridiculed in the press as “the Road Rage Rabbi.” It took some time, but things eventually turned around when Rabbi Alfredo discovered the power of Positive Psychology. In his upcoming interactive book, “The Wisdom of Mental Illness: Finding strength in your struggles,” Rabbi Alfredo teaches us all ho...

Meet Sarah Todd Hammer ! Sarah Todd is a 21 years old three-time published author, dancer, and speaker. In 2010, she acquired Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), which left her paralyzed from the neck down. She regained the ability to walk but has paralysis in her arms and hands. Now, a junior in college, she is studying Psychology and Communication Studies, and she’s built a remarkable presence on social media with over 115,000 followers by educating others on disability and advocating for accessibil...

Meet Chamiah Dewey! Chamiah is the CEO and founder of Chamiah Dewey Fashion, the UK’s first clothing brand for people of short stature, under 4’10”. She started the line in 2021 when she was only 22 as a Student at the London College of Fashion. Given that Chamiah is a woman of average height, she tends to get questions as to why she would be interested in starting a fashion line for little people, so that's what this episode is all about. We discuss Chamiah's inspiration for her clothing line,...

Meet Perle Noire! Perle is THE Black Burlesque Queen. Known as Mama Perle in the burlesque community, she is a paragon of glitz and glamour who advocates for people to reclaim their bodies and their sensuality. She created a program called Healing Through Seduction that teaches you how to honor your desires with no shame and no guilt. In this episode, Perle pays homage to Josephine Baker, discusses what burlesque is, shares how glamour is the birthright of black women, and reveals ways to get co...

Meet Ilsa Fay! Hailing from Melbourne Australia, Ilsa is an award-winning filmmaker, creative director, and Founder of the Erotica Film Festival. She is also the host of the Sex, Money & Power podcast and a business coach who works with female entrepreneurs on reinventing their relationship with money, business, and visibility. In this episode, Ilsa drops a ton of gems about the difference between erotica and porn, how the body feels consent, integrating sensuality with power, balancing the fem...

Meet Joshua Rodriguez, known as Master Joshua in the BDSM/Leather community. Joshua founded People Before Kink to help guide and support people toward healthier BDSM lifestyles. Drawing upon his own unique, hard-earned transformative experiences, he has developed personalized methods of Non-Traditional Sexual Behavior counseling, geared particularly towards catalyzing self-actualization. Over the past 12 years, he has helped many people rid themselves of shame so they can embrace their identitie...

Meet Liv Stone! Liv is a surfer, model, disability advocate, and 4x USA Para Surf Gold Medalist. Having been born with a congenital limb difference, Liv has shorter arms with two fingers on each arm. But despite her differences, Liv has been able to maintain an optimistic view on life. Her success reflects her faith. She knows that happiness is not based on our circumstances, it comes from within and overflows throughout. In this episode, Liv shares how life was back in the early days, how she g...

Meet Tim Mason! Tim is an amazing human who was born with no legs and one arm. He was adopted into a loving family, which he feels was an incredible gift. Tim has an amazing sense of humor, our favorite quote of his being "I may be half-baked but I'm still delicious!" He shatters myths and defies all the stereotypes about living with one limb. In fact, Tim is thriving in his independence as an openly gay disabled man, because he’s learned to focus on self-love. Enjoy the listen! Tim's Links: Tik...

Meet Cherry West! By day, Cherry is Sam Carlin, a fifteen year old boy from Edinburgh Scotland. Sam became enamoured with drag after watching RuPaul's Drag Race and then seeing a live drag show with his family. He decided to take drag more seriously in 2021. Today as Cherry West, this teenage sweetheart is gaining headlines all over as one of the world’s brightest up-and-coming young drag artists. Cherry is thriving, because she has the support of her entire family. Dad helps with costumes and r...

Meet Becca Lee, aka @BeccaLee Beauty! Becca was once self-conscious about the port-wine stain and blue nevus birthmarks on her face. She started using makeup as a cover up, feeling insecure about showing off her real skin. Her obsession with makeup took her to esthetic school and she would become a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician. One day, Becca mustered up the confidence to post a picture of her naked face on social media, deciding to accept and embrace all the uniqueness of...

Meet Claire Sisk! Claire is a top beauty-lifestyle influencer from the UK who goes by the handle @canseecantsee. Claire is registered blind, yet she is helping to educate the world on her disability as well as her passion for beauty. In this episode, Claire helps shatter myths like people living with visual impairment wouldn’t or shouldn’t be interested in fashion or makeup. Her advocacy and helpful videos have garnered her massive followings on TikTok and Instagram as well as the win for Best S...

Meet Matthew Mackey, otherwise known as Carbie The Dragtivist! Matthew is running for office as a candidate for New York State Assembly District 101. If Matthew is elected, xe would be the first Non-Binary State Legislator in New York State, and the second in the country. From a young age, Matthew has been an advocate for people. From advocating for accessibility resources for xis two deaf parents to helping stop the deportation of a same-sex bi-national couple, Matthew knows how the power of co...

Meet Kaelynn Partlow! As a woman living with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, Kaelynn is lighting up the world with massive awareness for life on the spectrum and learning disabilities. Kaelynn is a Registered Behavior Technician with Project Hope Foundation where she works with autistic individuals teaching communication, social and self-advocacy skills. She also starred in the Netflix series Love On The Spectrum U.S. where she tried her hand at speed dating. Her Facebook pa...