Libsyn Directory

The Belonging Practice: Bridge Differences & Practice Collective Care to Become the Leader You Need

Release Date: 03/25/2025

EXCLUSIVE: Pride in Exile featuring Former EEOC Commissioner, Chai Feldblum and New York District EEOC Administrative Judge, Karen Ortiz

Imagine Belonging at Work

Congress established the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Its primary purpose is to prevent and address unfair treatment in the workplace, ensuring that employers don't discriminate against individuals based on race, gender, religion, or age in hiring, firing, or promotions. Essentially, the EEOC attempts to create a level playing field in the job market by investigating complaints and enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Yet today’s EEOC, led by acting chair Andrea Lucas, is rapidly changing, especially as it enforces—or...

[Out & Equal Mini-Series] Building Gender Inclusive Workplaces ft. Amanda Simpson and Chris Mossiah

Imagine Belonging at Work

The past decade has tragically tested the resilience and brilliance of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive (trans) people living in the U.S. Misinformation about who we are and what we want has sparked thousands of anti-transgender bills introduced in nearly every state capital across the country, adversely impacting almost every segment of the trans community. Despite this harsh reality, the future is a rainbow, and it’s wise for business leaders to recognize this truth. It’s also essential for these leaders to recognize the responsibility they have to prepare their...

[Out & Equal Mini-Series] How to be an Authentic Ally w/ Jean-Marie Navetta, Out & Equal VP of Learning Programs

Imagine Belonging at Work

Allies. In workplace settings, there are times when most of us need them. Consider this scenario; you’re in a meeting, and you’re about to take a calculated risk to share an unpopular idea. As soon as you complete your thought, one of your colleagues quickly responds, complimenting you on your idea, and asking you to share more. That’s an act of allyship. Conversely, in that very same meeting, you can take an act of allyship by showing up for a different colleague when another person says something unskillful to them. Without a beat, you can simply say, “You just said [insert...

[Out & Equal Mini-Series] Part II: Reaffirming Our Belonging Commitments Ken Janssens, Co-Founder and Head of Social Impact for Windō and Board Chair at Out & Equal

Imagine Belonging at Work

Welcoming LGBTQ+ employees into the workforce is one of the great business success stories of the last 20 years. By implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices businesses led the way, before the laws caught up, and organizations like Out & Equal paved the way. Listen to this episode featuring Windō Co-Founder + Head of Social Impact, Ken Janssens, share how to protect the progress made for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, and gain insights on how to protect the heart of this essential inclusion work. For those unfamiliar with Ken, he is a former tech executive and Chief Data Officer...

[Out & Equal Mini-Series] Part I: Reaffirming Our Belonging Commitments w/ Deena Fidas, Managing Director & Chief Programs Officer at Out & Equal

Imagine Belonging at Work

In this new era, organizations in the United States and worldwide are navigating a complex and ever-changing landscape that impacts their global strategies. This includes a growing emphasis on intersectional approaches to DEI, integrating AI ethics into fairness initiatives, and developing more robust, data-driven accountability frameworks for inclusion efforts. Tune into this episode with Managing Director & Chief Program Officer for Out & Equal, Deena Fidas, for insights on reaffirming workplace commitments to building spaces of belonging as we navigate this uncertain future. Deena...

[Out & Equal Mini-Series] The Movement’s History & Our Inclusion Journey w/ Bob Witeck, President of Witck Communications, Inc.

Imagine Belonging at Work

The episode you’re about to hear is one of nearly a dozen conversations a part of the show’s podcast mini-series, The Business of Belonging, brought to you by Out & Equal. Out & Equal is the premier global nonprofit organization working exclusively on LGBTQ+ workplace equality. In this particular episode, we’re focusing on the LGBTQ+ Movement’s History as it relates to the workplace here in the United States…and we know… LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion goes beyond “food, fun, and famous people” during Pride celebrations. It goes beyond flashy public relations...

The Belonging Beat: How Journalism Shapes Our Understanding of Workplace Culture (ft. Sam Ragland, VP of Journalism Programs at the American Press Institute)

Imagine Belonging at Work

While inspirational to many, the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion also terrify some. This reality underscores why there is still so much to be learned about what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean as values that guide ethical decision-making, as strategies to upend structural inequities, and as a field of study which helps transform the way we organize and work together. As imperative as it is to fortify this body of work, we have to keep thinking about what we mean by these terms, and what others mean when they find themselves up in arms about them. When we are in the grip of...

Navigate Economic Headwinds by Evolving Your DEI Business & Practice (ft. Amber Vilhauer, NGNG Founder)

Imagine Belonging at Work

Are you a diversity, equity, and inclusion small business owner feeling the pressure of economic uncertainty and unfounded assaults to your vital work? If you answered yes, then this is an Imagine Belonging Podcast episode you cannot afford to miss! Over the past 60 years, diversity professionals world-wide have emerged as some of the best business leaders due to the complexity of our work and the industries we continue to influence. Given this high standard of excellence, I am thrilled to introduce you to Amber Vilhauer, CEO of NGNG Enterprises (No Guts No Glory), an Inc. 5000 top...

Who Do You Need to Become to Build Belonging Spaces? (Meditation w/ Rhodes Perry)

Imagine Belonging at Work

What kind of leader do you need to become to create true belonging? This solo meditation with Rhodes Perry guides you to explore the leadership qualities needed to foster creativity, connection, and support on your team, even amidst fear and uncertainty. Reflect on your current leadership style and envision the new shapes that will help you build safety, trust, and belonging. Download: The Belonging Practice Host Guide for deeper reflection after the meditation: . Connect & learn about the 1:1 Belonging Coaching Mentorship Program: . Join the Belonging Movement: Thanks...

Not Your Father's Workplace: The Essential Role Men Play in Advancing Gender Equality (ft. Adam Segal, New Masculinities Founder)

Imagine Belonging at Work

In a world struggling to embrace the beauty, complexities, and possibilities of gender it’s not surprising that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently called for more "masculine energy" in corporate America. His callous statement made on the Joe Rogan Experience has sparked controversy and ignited crucial conversations. His comments about masculinity suggest that corporate culture has become too "feminine" and that a "celebration of aggression" is needed. This perspective perpetuates harmful stereotypes about what it means to be masculine, reinforcing toxic masculinity, which is a set of...

More Episodes

Who do you need to become to be the leader you need in this moment? There’s nothing more powerful than a question like this one. Even if you don’t have an answer, big questions like these generate new thoughts. To encourage new thoughts to emerge, leaders like you will need to practice belonging with bridging and collective care skills.

Many leaders who seek coaching support from Rhodes Perry Consulting initially struggle with bridging differences and building belonging spaces, often because they were never taught these skills. This is largely due to how the old ways of leadership were modeled and taught. It’s for this reason we developed The Belonging Practice Host Guide. It’s designed to empower visionary leaders like you to create the conditions of safety and trust for those you lead.

This timely resource offers somatic, bridging, and collective care practices to help lead you by offering the skills and abilities to acknowledge and cope with the collective trauma and grief so many within the workforce and beyond are navigating. During this podcast episode, enjoy an expanded conversation with Rhodes Perry, where he will help you answer the following questions:

Why does exclusion compounded by collective trauma and grief harm team performance and employee well-being?
What kind of leader do you need to become to match the urgency of this moment?
How can somatics, bridging, and collective care practices help you grow team safety, trust, and belonging?
How can you transform acts of exclusion into moments of belonging?
How can you bridge disagreement through dialogue intended to seek understanding?

Rhodes rarely records solo episodes, and wanted to help amplify the power of his team’s complimentary Belonging Practice Host Guide to support so many leaders struggling to show up in the face of so much chaos, uncertainty, and fear. As you listen to this podcast, be sure to access the following resources to help you develop the skills required to become the leader you need, in this moment:

Access the Belonging Practice Host Guide. Access a complimentary copy of the Belonging Practice Host guide to begin developing the essential somatic, bridging, and collective care practices you need to support those you lead navigate these challenging times. You can access the guide by visiting: www.rhodesperry.com/belongingpractice.
Join Our Thursday Practice. If you’d like to practice somatics, bridging, and community care with like-minded visionary leaders, consider joining our complimentary Belonging Practice on most Thursdays from 8 am to 9 am Pacific Time by saving your seat here.
Want Bridging Support? Learn more about our bridging solutions by speaking with a team member for customized organizational or team support. We are ready to support you and those you lead by delivering the skills to build spaces of belonging. Contact us here.

Thanks for growing our Belonging Movement!

TOPICS