S7E5: Getting Attuned to Your Body’s Wisdom with Lauren Dike
Release Date: 04/03/2025
S7E15: Navigating Shifting Terrains with Dr. Avis Proctor
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Avis Proctor, President of Harper College. Dr. Proctor shares her journey from a mathematics educator to a college president, emphasizing need for intentionality in leadership, self-advocacy, and the power of community support in achieving success. She reflects on her career journey and the pivotal choices that shaped her path. She also provides insights on the challenges of navigating shifting terrains in education and the significance of co-creating strategies with her team to weather the current climate. Dr. Proctor also shares her...
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S7E14: Optimizing Your Salary with Ange Matthews
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Ange Matthews, an investor and personal finance expert, to discuss strategies for optimizing your salary. Ange shares her journey from a $40,000 salary to building seven figures of passive wealth, offering insights into making every dollar work for you. She emphasizes the importance of giving every dollar a job and making your money work overtime. Ange shares options for building passive income by leveraging stock options, stock investing, and self-directed IRAs. She also shares her insights on how your financial decisions...
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S7E13: Staying Rooted Through Life Shifts with Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter to explore the journey of staying rooted through life’s seismic shifts. Laura and Dr. Daniela explore how to navigate transitions with grace, the importance of emotional honesty, and the power of community and self-care. Dr. Daniela shares her PivotWell framework for navigating life changes, and shares her insights on “leading while breaking” and the mindset shift required for thriving through life’s tough moments. About Dr. Daniela Dr. Daniela Peel Hunter, PhD, CDP, CDR, CPC, CDRC is a bold disruptor...
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S7E12: Using Your Introvert Superpowers with Dr. Nicole Bryan
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Nicole Bryan to discuss the unique strengths of introverts and the importance of recognizing and leveraging introverted qualities, such as deep thinking and observation, to succeed in the workplace. The discussion emphasizes embracing one's unique qualities and leveraging them for career growth and influence. Laura and Dr. Nicole explore the unique nuances of Black women introverts, with specific regard to navigating office politics in leadership roles. They discuss the importance of relationship building in office dynamics, and how introverts can...
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S7E11: Demonstrating Diplomacy & Political Savvy with Nakisha Muhammad
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nakisha Muhammad to discuss the leadership competencies of diplomacy and political savvy, through her point of reference as an executive leader. Nakisha shares her unique journey from entrepreneurship to her current role as Chief Technology Officer at 1nHealth, chronicling how she learned to honor her own boundaries while navigating the demands of leadership and emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself and others in fostering effective communication and diplomacy. Laura and Nakisha share the intricate dynamics of leadership,...
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S7E10: 2025 BWL LIVE! Conference Recap
Black Woman Leading
In this bonus episode, Laura shares her highlights from the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference + Retreat, which took place May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach, VA. Black Woman Leading LIVE! is the premier leadership development conference to help Black women professionals learn, heal, and grow in their leadership capacity. Join us at the 2026 event, which will take place May 11-14, 2026 in Myrtle Beach, SC! Learn more and register at www.BWLretreat.com. Credits: Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at Learn more about our consulting work with...
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S7E9: Navigating Change
Black Woman Leading
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the complexities of navigating change in both personal and professional contexts. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability as leaders face inevitable disruptions. The conversation explores various models of the human side of change, the emotional processes involved, and practical strategies for supporting oneself and others through transitions. Laura highlights the significance of understanding resistance to change and offers insights on how to effectively manage it while fostering a growth mindset. About Laura...
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S7E8: Asking for What You Want
Black Woman Leading
In this solo episode, Laura discusses the importance of asking for what you want in your career, particularly for Black women. She emphasizes that self-advocacy is not just about the words you use but also about your internal mindset and sense of worthiness. She shares frameworks to help listeners work on both the heart work and head work needed for effective self-advocacy. Laura encourages self-reflection on past experiences to understand internal and external factors that influence one's ability to ask for what they want. Ultimately, she empowers listeners to advocate for themselves and...
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S7E7: Driving the Narrative of Your Career with BWL Alums
Black Woman Leading
In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (Alexys Anderson, Shelby Norman, and SherAaron Hurt) to discuss our season’s theme of Driving the Narrative of Your Career. Emphasizing the importance of setting a personal vision and advocating for oneself while balancing heart work and head work along the career growth journey, they explore the significance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating identity, and the importance of community support. The discussion highlights how embracing...
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S7E6: Managing Uneven Power Dynamics with Nicole S. Palmer
Black Woman Leading
In this conversation, Laura welcomes Nicole Palmer to discuss the unique experiences of Black women in corporate America, with regard to managing uneven power dynamics. Nicole shares the inspiration behind her book, and the concept of 'Black womaning' as a way to navigate the challenges faced in the workplace. They explore themes of fear, purpose, and the shared experiences of Black women across various industries, emphasizing the need for support and understanding in overcoming obstacles. Nicole also shares her personal journey of navigating a toxic work environment, the impact of PTSD, and...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Laura welcomes Lauren Dike to explore the importance of attuning to one's body wisdom, particularly for Black women. Lauren shares her journey from corporate America to becoming a nervous system resilience expert
They discuss the significance of understanding one’s nervous system, the impact of societal expectations on Black women, and practical steps for self-regulation. The conversation highlights the importance of professional support in the healing process and the need to reconnect with our body's sensations, while emphasizing the need for self-awareness and emotional processing.
With regard to workplace experiences, they explore the themes of fawning and people-pleasing, particularly among Black women in the workplace. They discuss the historical context of these behaviors, the impact on mental health, and the importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy. The dialogue emphasizes the need for healing, understanding one's body, and the significance of self-care in navigating personal and professional challenges.
About Lauren
Lauren Dike is a certified somatic practitioner, nervous system resilience expert, and DEI consultant dedicated to fostering safety, openness, and connection within organizations and individuals.
Her work helps organizations evolve by witnessing behaviors rather than shaming them, understanding that behaviors incongruent with compassion, openness, and connection often stem from stress, trauma, or a lack of capacity.
By addressing these root causes, Lauren enables transformative behavior change, making authentic connection and collaboration more accessible. She specializes in working with Black women, focusing on the disproportionate workplace and racial trauma they face.
Lauren partners with collectives like IKONI Collective, CRIADO Studios, and the Center for Black Women’s Wellness to create spaces for healing and empowerment through somatic practices, workshops, and speaking engagements.
Connect with Lauren
Website: www.harmonna.org
Instagram @harmonnawellbeing
Resources:
- Event: Join us for the 2025 Black Woman Leading LIVE! Conference +Retreat, May 27-30, 2025 in Virginia Beach! Learn more at bwlretreat.com
- Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Credits:
Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com
Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/
Email Laura: [email protected]
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn
Instagram: @blackwomanleading
Facebook: @blackwomanleading
Youtube: @blackwomanleading
Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights
Graphics: Téa Campbell
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