The Blended Podcast

Welcome to Blended

The podcast where transformative conversations spark real change. Imagine the raw honesty of a Red Table Talk, but with a laser focus on the critical conversations around inclusion in the workplace.

Each episode brings together five individuals from vastly different walks of life, creating a vibrant space where unique perspectives collide and meaningful dialogue takes center stage. We tackle the topics others shy away from, with authenticity and courage.

If you’re ready to challenge your assumptions, embrace new perspectives, and gain actionable insights into creating truly inclusive environments, this is the podcast you can’t afford to miss.

Episode 69: For the first time in history, there are between five and six generations in the workplace. A range of different people with different perspectives and life experiences are trying to figure out how to work together – and that brings a lot of challenges with it.

Episode 67: We talk a lot about creating the right cultures at work, hiring for ‘culture fit’. But do we talk as much about the culture we’re actually trying to create? Often ‘culture fit’ ends, whether consciously or otherwise, with the creation of a group of likeminded people and personalities that drive comfort, not innovation.

Episode 64: We welcome 2026 with some practical advice around what we can all do to get more diverse voices onto industry stages – and why it matters.

Episode 62: Dives into self-worth, the dangers of comparison, and advice for getting out of your own way.

Episode 60: Shines a light on what menopause is, the stigma and negative connotations attached, and how organizations can better support women in the workplace.

Episode 58: Unpacks the face of ERGS in 2025 and how new administration had impacted is re-brand this year.

Episode 56: Discusses designing inclusive spaces for neurodiversity, accessibility, and mindful communication and the challenges, barriers and interplay with work

Epsiode 54: Explores noncompetes – what they are, how they harm workers, especially women and other underrepresented voices, and share ideas for how organizations can build trust and employee retention, without restrictive contracts

Episode 52: Discusses what mentorship and sponsorship mean, and the difference between the two; the big question of whether or not sponsorship is favoritism; and what leaders and individuals can do to create positive sponsorship experiences that work for everyone.

Episode 50: Has us talking about generational diversity, what it means, the labels placed on different generations and the typical perspectives and working styles you might expect from them and how to put a focus on nurturing generationally diverse working cultures.

Episode 48: Discusses mentorship—talking about traditional mentorship and how it looks different across communities and contexts; the rise of reverse mentorship and its importance in intergenerational workforces; how to measure the success of mentor/mentee relationships and the common mistakes to look out for; and how to avoid the trap of seeking a mentor for the sake of it.

Episode 46: Discusses purchasing power— do we use our purchasing power the right way? What are the challenges and opportunities? And what can organizations and individuals do to drive intentional change?

Networking Etiquette Podcast Cover — Episode 44: From Handshakes to Cocktails: The Dos and Don’ts of networking are shared, along with the all the small things we need to consider, reflections on the differences between on and offline networking as guests share their own experiences for us to learn from.

Episode 42: We’re continuing our conversation on bias and diving deeper into what we need to know about bias. Where does it come from and how do we learn about it? How do we handle it, and where do workplaces fit in? And, most importantly, how do we call it out – not just in others, but in ourselves?
Our guests tackling those big questions, and more, in this episode.

Episode 40: This episode is all about positivity – because we’re talking about organizations that are doing good. This episode is dedicated to what we can learn from organizations doing good and how we can all be inspired, in our personal and professional lives, to do better. Our guest talk about the impact that businesses, large and small, have on our world; personal accountability versus corporate responsibility; the fine line between people and profit; and the different ways people and organizations can drive change and create a positive impact, locally and worldwide.

Episode 38: We’re talking all about microaggression. It’s a term first used around 1970 by Harvard psychiatrist, Dr. Chester Pierce, it initially described the regular insults and dismissals he witnessed, from non-black people towards the black community. But professors and social scientists have gone on to examine the concept more closely and expand our understanding of microaggressions, detailing how they also impact religious groups, gender identities, those who are living with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Microaggressions are a part of exclusionary practices and behaviors, but they can often fly under the radar, especially in the workplace.

Episode 36: This episode we dive into victimhood. People’s experiences of being a victim are very different – some people don’t identify with the word victim at all! But it is something that’s a big part of life for many. Our guests talk all about what it means to be a victim; sharing their personal experiences and their impacts; reflecting on the issues of weaponizing and gatekeeping victimhood; and the common, yet unwanted, response to victimhood – pity.

Episode 34: Hot off the press! In this episode, we discuss the truth about workplace seniority. Seniority is often the goal for many of us on our career journeys, but not everyone makes it – for a variety of different reasons. And when they do make it to the top, there can often be a negative impact on those below and, in turn, on workplace cultures and overall business success. This episode talks all about what seniority means to them and how it differs from leadership; reflecting on how important job titles really are; discussing what both junior and senior team members can do to nurture better workplaces; and sharing their experiences of good and bad leadership.

Episode 32: Most of us, in our lives and careers, have considered what personality type we are. You might be a self-identifying Type A personality (which I know one of our two guests are!) In many workplaces you might even have undergone a personality test, so leadership can get a greater idea of individuals strengths and weaknesses.
And one factor that’s at the core of many personality assessments is whether you are introverted or extroverted. This episode dives into what these words actually mean and the qualities we associate with them; sharing their own experiences; reflecting on why society values extroversion so highly; and sharing their words of advice for how organizations can better support all personality types in the workplace.

Episode 30: The bottom 80% of the United States holds only 12% of its wealth; the bottom 60%, is just 3% of its wealth. And despite this huge disparity, little is being done to drive change. In a world where we’re working hard to tackle issues around gender, race, sexuality, religion and more – why are conversations around socio economic groupings still so often missing from the conversation? Our guests will be exploring classism and what it means to them; sharing their personal experiences; reflecting on education, privilege and pedigree; and discussing what organizations can do to tackle classism in the workplace and create more truly diverse communities.

Episode 28: Get ready to talk about parenthood and the workplace, traditionally areas that have been kept separate, particularly for women. Having been forced to choose between them, as taking time out to have children impacts their career progression and financial situation. Increasingly though, parents are looking to achieve a more healthy work-life balance. Hear our guests share their experiences of parenthood; maternity, paternity and grievance leave; learning from our parent’s mistakes; modeling boundaries; and the negative impact of a focus on productivity over parenthood.

Episode 26: Join us as we talk all about veterans. As Veterans Day provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the role that veterans have played in our country and let’s us honor the brave people that have served, it’s important to also hear their stories.
This conversation will be veterans sharing their life experiences, both professionally and personally; debating the well-known phrases ‘thank you for your service’ and ‘call of duty’; discussing transitioning from military to civilian life; and sharing advice on how we can both support veterans, and help businesses to become more veteran friendly.

Episode 24: Ever got gaslighted? This episode we explore this term and debunk some common misconceptions around exactly what it means and how it works, but ultimately the impact on a victims mental health, and the people around them, is huge. Hear our
guests share exactly what gaslighting means; sharing their personal experiences; discussing whether the rise in popularity of the term is a good thing or a bad thing; giving us tips on how to spot gaslighting at work and in our homes; and sharing advice on how we can help victims.

Episode 68: We wanted to give code-switching its own deep dive. Today we’ll be talking about what it means, why it happens, the hidden toll of sacrificing personal authenticity to fit in – and what we can do to create inclusive environments for *everyone*.

Episode 66: Today, we’re diving into intersectionality—how overlapping identities shape our workplace experiences. As DEI efforts shift, why does this complexity still matter, and how can businesses keep up?

Episode 65: Our guests are going to be diving into all of that today, and exploring addressing stigma and overcoming stereotypes in *your* organizan.

Episode 63: Tackles what DEI will look like in 2026 and what the impact of that will be on people, businesses, and culture in general

Episode 61: Explores ethical AI, the risks if organizations don’t consider ethics in AI, where do the ethical standards lie for the businesses utilizing AI models and so much more.

Episode 59: Takes a deeper dive in privilege and shines a light on what organizations can to identify, tackle and prevent privilege in all it’s forms.

Episode 57: Shines a spotlight on different faces of identity and what that means for navigating sexual orientation and gender expression.

Epsiode 55: Puts the spotlight on mental healath t work—why it matters, how it’s impacted by everything from workload to discrimination, and what businesses and individuals can do to prioritize wellbeing.

Episode 53: Takes a deep dive into burnout—what it looks like, the physical and emotional toll it takes, and how it’s affecting individuals and teams across industries. We’ll discuss the growing pressures leading to burnout, how to recognize it inr ouselves andothers .

Episode 51: Finds us diving into what intentional inclusion means, and the different areas it’s comprised of; how we promote intentional inclusion and the barriers getting in the way; the need to create safe spaces; and the language we use to bring intentional inclusion to life.

Episode 49: Finds us doing a deep dive into the rapidly grown in popularity of employee resource groups, otherwise known as ERGs. Learn how ERGs work & the importance of purpose; the challenges & opportunities; & the different responsibilities of leadership and teams in establishing, executing, & supporting ERGs.

Episode 47: Discusses the changing landscape of work and how workplaces haven’t caught up; why bias is slowing down change; how we can create cultures that support balance and provide personalized ways of working; and the importance of re-designing management styles and KPIs so we measure success, not time.

Episode 45: Discusses equal pay–talking all about what women can do for themselves to start to close the gap; how organizations can make meaningful change; the importance of male allyship; and the reality of why men are still paid more than women.

Episode 43: Discusses allyship – what it means, the cost, challenges, sacrifice involved, and how individuals & workplaces can cultivate a culture of allyship.

Episode 41: Tune in as we explore preference vs bias and what happens when the two start to overlap and the line gets blurred. When does a preference become a bias? How do you spot it? And what can you do about it?
Listen to our guests talk about what bias means and how it differs from preference; the role experience has on personal bias; if bias is always a negative; and the ways that we can tackle bias in ourselves and within our communities.

Episode 39: We’re taking on our most controversial topic yet – cancel culture! This epsiode picks apart the headlines from the realities, overlaid with wider social discussions, and gets a feel for how the impact of things like cancel culture might be felt in the workplace.
Our guests talk about what cancel culture actually means; how and why it’s changed; the role of social media and politics in the weaponization of cancel culture; and what organizations can do to tackle cancel culture and create thriving workplaces.

Episode 37: We’re talking about the differences between what men and women have to think about when they’re out living their lives. And how does that translate to the workplace? What are women having to do or think about versus men, and how is that impacting the organizations we work for, our industry and, ultimately, the progress of diversity equity and inclusion. Our guests share their personal experiences; reflecting on the societal expectations for men and women and their impacts; discussing the impact of bias and stereotypes on the workplace; and sharing ideas for how we can create safe spaces for all genders to thrive.

Episode 35: Looking to learn more about anxiety? You’ve come to the right place! Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults – that’s nearly 20% of the population! – every single year. Millions of people are suffering in silence every day and the potential impact, on individuals and communities, is massive – leading many to say that the current mental health crisis is a ticking time bomb. So, with the likelihood that multiple people around you at work and at home are suffering – perhaps you’re even suffering yourself – it’s important that we talk about it, and learn how to better support anyone that needs help. Our guests talk all about what anxiety means to them; sharing their physical and mental triggers and symptoms; reflecting on how we can support others, personally and in the workplace; and revealing all the resources and techniques that worked for them.e.

Episode 33: This episode hit close to home. We discuss emotional recovery, and I share some personal experiences along with my guests. We discuss emotional recovery; share our experiences & words of advice; and reflects on how we can open up conversations to better support others.

Episode 31: Education, is a topic that’s close to my heart, with my own educational and career journey. And, it’s a topic that has increasingly come under the spotlight recently in light of the labor shortages and trending workplace changes we’ve seen industry-wide. So now is the perfect time to really explore what’s going wrong, or right, with the way we think about education in the workplace. Our guest explore education and share their own experiences; explore the hiring practices that often continue to support bias; reflect on what the next generation are doing and thinking about when it comes to education and their careers; and sharing their words of advice for how organizations can tackle education bias and create more diverse workplaces.

Episode 29: Creating an inclusive workplace doesn’t just benefit your employees, it can pay off in dividends for your business. Companies with a strong culture of inclusion—one that encourages innovation and collaboration among staff—are increasingly seen as more attractive to potential employees, clients, and investors. From revising hiring practices to restructuring internal policies, embracing diversity can be an invaluable asset to any organization. Episode 29 discusses how you can foster a positive atmosphere at work where everyone feels accepted and respected no matter their gender identity or cultural background.

Episode 27: Tune in to hear us talking about addiction. This is a topic that is still very taboo. But, as with most things in life, it’s not black and white. Not all addicts are the same, and not everyone is addicted to alcohol or drugs. Things are moving forward for women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community – it’s time to do the same for all those struggling with, or supporting loved ones who are struggling with, addiction. In this conversation hear our guest share their experiences of addiction; the power of nature in aiding recovery; loss and grief; tackling addiction in the workplace; and advice on how we can support those struggling, at work and in our communities.

Episode 25: Do you know the difference between acceptance and inclusion? This episode focuses on acceptance and inclusion, and what the difference is between the two.
There are a lot of misconceptions about exactly what these two terms actually mean and stand for, but ultimately the impact on the people around them is huge. I know you’ve been waiting for us to dive into this, so let’s get to it. This episode explores exactly what acceptance and inclusion mean; sharing their personal experiences; discussing whether the rise in popularity of the phrase is a good thing or a bad thing; giving us tips on how to spot and foster a healthy environment at work and in our homes.

Episode 23: Prepared to be informed as we tackling another really tough issue – Asian discrimination. Now this is something that many of us, outside of the Asian community, had probably not thought too much about. But when the pandemic hit, putting in some cases a potentially negative light on China, the world saw an eruption of hate and anger towards Asian people that was quite shocking to see, and which has really taken its toll on communities worldwide.
Today, our guests will be exploring exactly what Asian discrimination means and why it happens; sharing their personal experiences; taking a closer look at some of the new initiatives being put into place across America; and discussing how we can start to tackle the issue of Asian discrimination and discrimination in the workplace.

Episode 22: This episode tackles the tricky issue – tokenism. Tokenism is a relatively new idea – the term was only coined in the late 70’s – but we are hearing it more and more as the conversations around diversity and inclusion grow. And, when issues like this arise, that can potentially derail the really good DEI work that so many people are doing, we have a responsibility to address it and get it out in the open – which is one of our favorite things to do on Blended!
Our guests will be exploring exactly what tokenism means; sharing their personal experiences; and discussing how we can start to tackle tokenism in the workplace.

Episode 21: Need a boost? Tune in to learn effective strategies to diverse talent in the workplace, and how to keep it. From labor shortages to issues around retention, I’m having more and more conversations about talent on Let’s Talk Supply Chain, and it really was time to bring that conversation over to Blended. Ensuring you have diverse talent in your business could be the difference between surviving and thriving, so it’s something everyone should be taking seriously.
Hear our guests discuss the current landscape in supply chain when it comes to talent; share their own personal experiences; tackle how to successfully hire and retain talent; and discuss exactly how we navigate bias to improve company culture.

Episode 20: Join us as we unpack he business benefits of DEI. Previously on the show, we’ve talked to underrepresented groups and specific communities – whether it be women, people of color, trans folks – and, as part of our discussions, we’ve heard them passionately share their stories and illustrate why, of course, they’re such an integral part of successful teams. So we thought it was time to really put a focus on that and dedicate a whole show to the importance of embracing DEI in your business.
Listen to our guests will be explore what DEI means to them; share their own personal experiences; reflect on issues such as creating safe spaces, ongoing education and authenticity; and discuss the importance of supplier diversity.

Episode 19: This episode we delve into the tough subject of sexual harassment. It’s another tough subject because the reality is, so many people, particularly women, have a story. And we need to tell those stories if we’re going to expose just how prevalent this problem is. Learn what sexual harassment means and where and when it happens; sharing their own personal experiences; reflecting on the differences between harassment and assault; and the panel will be sharing their advice for tackling the issue and creating safer workplaces.

Episode 18: Buckle up for a compelling conversation about workplace discrimination. It’s a sensitive subject: something that a lot of people have actually experienced, but not something we like to talk much about. Learn exactly what discrimination means and why it happens; hear our guests share their own personal experiences; reflect on the differences between discrimination, micro-aggressions, victimization and bullying; and hear advice for creating more supportive and inclusive workplaces.

Episode 17: Join us as we distill the essential knowledge nuggets surrounding community and culture.
The culture or community that each of us has come from, and the differing communities that play their parts during the course of our lives, are truly instrumental in making us who we are. And really taking the time to hear and embrace that can make us all better friends, partners, parents, colleagues – truly, better people. Hear personal experiences with their individual cultures and communities from our guests; the challenges involved in embracing who you are; the amazing benefits that can come from working together and celebrating each other’s individuality; and get advice for creating more supportive and inclusive workplaces.

Episode 16: We’re opening the vault on the compelling and much debated topic of OCD – obsessive-compulsive disorder. It’s a name a lot of people recognize, but seldom really understand its dynamics.
Hear our panel dive into their personal experiences with OCD; the impact of the media; issues around stereotypes and assumptions; and share their advice for creating more supportive and inclusive workplaces.

Episode 15: Get ready for a deep dive into ageism. When it comes to the spectrum of topics in the DEI world, it’s not the most talked about, so it’s important to open it up, hear what others have to say and learn something new.
Listen to our guests personal experiences with ageism; why ageism isn’t just an issue for the old; ageism’s place within the larger context of DEI discussions; and the panel will be sharing their advice for creating more inclusive workplaces.

Episode 14: Join us as we uncover the truth behind veteran and civil life on Blended. It’s another emotive subject, and if anyone deserves the stage, it’s the incredibly brave and inspirational men and women who have sacrificed, pretty much everything, so the rest of us can live freely and authentically.
Hear our guests’ personal experiences of the military and transitioning to civilian life; inclusion and supplier diversity; employment struggles and entrepreneurship; and the panel will be sharing their advice and tips for both veterans and businesses looking to support them.

Episode 13: Join us as we connect the dots between disability and everyday life on Blended. The subject of disability has come up in other shows, particularly when we’ve talked about rights or discrimination. But sometimes we are all guilty of talking broadly and lumping everybody together – so we say, “there’s a policy that covers women, LGBTQIA+, disability, race, religion” – but we know that these sweeping statements don’t work. Everybody is different, their needs are different and so we need to make sure we’re breaking it all down and talking about things on an issue by issue, person by person level. So I’m joined by another passionate group of professionals who are helping us shine a light on the issue of disability today.

Episode 12: Tune in for an insightful conversations and thought-provoking discussions on Immigration and Identity. I’ve interviewed so many first and second-generation immigrants on Let’s Talk Supply Chain™, and that aspect of the guest’s identity, more often than not, really helps to shape who they are as people, their ambition and aspirations. Our panelists share their personal journeys and we tackle the challenges and biases as well as the joys and successes of immigrant experiences.

Episode 11: Join us as we are ‘Shining a light on social inequality,’ In this episode, we delve into the complex issue of social inequality. We unpack the concept of social inequality and its various forms, explore the far-reaching consequences of social inequality on individuals and society and share knowledge and resources to keep the conversation going and advocate for change.

Episode 10: Join us for an uplifting journey into the vibrant transgender and non-binary communities. We’ll explore their experiences, shatter stereotypes, and celebrate their stories. This episode is perfect for allies who want to learn more and become better advocates.

Episode 9: Today episode of ‘Handling Diversity in Business: Is there a right or wrong answer?’ Hear from a new group of inspirational supply chain and DEI professionals, who are passionate about people, about social issues in our industry and in the community at large, share their insights and experiences with us to help shine a light on the huge topic of the right and wrong ways to handle diversity.

Episode 8: Today in Episode 8, ‘From the classroom to the boardroom: the truth about workplace bullying,’ Madison and I are joined by a new group of inspirational supply chain professionals who are passionate about people and about social issues in our industry and in the community at large; and they share their stories with us to help shine a light on the big topic of workplace bullying.

Episode 7: It’s time to finally learn learn the difference between Equality vs Diversity. Hear from a panel of professionals share their experiences, research and points of view with us, so we can open up this huge topic and tackle it head on.

Episode 6: Ever wondered why a career in supply chain really looks like? Listen to amazing supply chain professionals who are opening up and sharing their personal stories with us – their experiences of being a woman, a person of colour, an indigenous person. And they’re going to really shine a light for us on how those formative experiences have impacted their lives and careers, and made them into the person they are today.

Episode 5: Get ready for a deep dive into the history, the movement, the people of the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically with 2020 in mind. Learn why the movement blew up last year; the support, and lack of support, it received; its commercialization and our panelists reflections.

Episode 4: We are getting global in this episode as we look at diversity and inclusion from a worldwide perspective. What does it look like for our panelists; how does it vary by country, or continent; what are the conversations that are being had across the globe; and how can we join together to shape a better future.

Episode 3: Let’s spill the tea on ‘The Gender Equation’ and all its implications. Hear us explore the different experiences that men and women have in their careers, the voices of conferences, why women have traditionally been pitted against other women, and how we can all work together to make meaningful change for the future.

Episode 2: This episode we are getting personal, as our guest share their personal stories: the experiences that made them who they are today and the impact, both positive and negative, that those experiences have had on their lives and careers.

Episode 1: Welcome to Blended’s inaugural show! Here we talk about the challenges facing our industry as a whole – changing technology, network complexity, surprises like COVID-19 – but what we don’t talk as much about is the people. The people that really drive our industry forward specifically, the underrepresented people in our industry. Underrepresented people need to join together to support each other, share our stories, and be each other’s allies – to ensure we ALL have a seat at the table to make our industry the absolute best it can This episode we talk all about the language we use when discussing minorities – what do these words mean to us, and to others; are there right or wrong words to use, and what are the subtexts of those words; and what does diversity, inclusion and identity mean to us.

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