[Out & Equal Mini-Series] Part I: Reaffirming Our Belonging Commitments w/ Deena Fidas, Managing Director & Chief Programs Officer at Out & Equal
Release Date: 06/16/2025
Between the Monkey Bars: How to Let Go of 2025 (+ Visioning Practice)
Imagine Belonging at Work
In this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, Rhodes Perry invites listeners into the "liminal space"—that unique, quiet week between the holidays and the New Year. Using the metaphor of the "monkey bars," Rhodes explores the terrifying but necessary moment of suspension where we must let go of the past (2025) before we can firmly grasp the future (2026). Rather than rushing to fill this silence with strategic plans and checklists, Rhodes challenges leaders to stop "white-knuckling" clinging to the old tools of leadership and instead learn how to swing with the chaos. This episode...
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🎉 Celebrate 7 Year Book-A-Versary of 'Belonging at Work’ on World Kindness Day
Imagine Belonging at Work
In this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, Rhodes Perry reflects on the creation and impact of his first book, 'Belonging at Work,' published on World Kindness Day in 2018. He discusses the evolution of workplace belonging and previews his upcoming book, 'Roads Less Traveled,' a memoir and methodology guide for real transformation. Rhodes shares his writing process through automatic writing, celebrates the milestone of 10 years growing the belonging movement, and offers various opportunities for listeners to celebrate and engage with his work, including special promotions for his...
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DEI Now: Leading with Integrity and Inclusion with McKensie Mack and Ellen Pao
Imagine Belonging at Work
Are you a CEO struggling to protect your brand's values in today's political climate? In this essential episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, host Rhodes Perry interviews MMG Earth CEO, Mckenzie Mack, and former Reddit CEO, Ellen Pao, about their groundbreaking report, “DEI Now: Leading with Integrity and Inclusion.” Discover why setting clear "red lines,” or boundaries rooted in your values, is a strategic necessity, not just an ethical choice. Learn how to avoid the "wrong side of history" by applying lessons from the past, and learn how to apply them to mitigate risk while...
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Are You Using the Right Language to Talk About DEI?
Imagine Belonging at Work
Are you struggling with how to talk about your organization's DEI commitments in today’s volatile climate? In this episode of the "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality" mini-series, host Rhodes Perry offers message-tested communication strategies to fortify the heart of your work. Discover how to take a "Goldilocks approach," balancing what you say to different audiences to avoid legal risks while protecting your brand's reputation. Learn why the full phrase "diversity, equity, and inclusion" is more powerful than the acronym "DEI" and how to frame your initiatives...
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How Do You Support Protected Employee Groups In This Climate?
Imagine Belonging at Work
In this special bonus episode of the "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality" mini-series, we reflect on the material consequences of inflammatory rhetoric and dangerous policies that impact protected employee groups. Host Rhodes Perry identifies the groups disproportionately impacted and outlines the strategy behind Project 2025, which aims to unravel decades of civil rights gains. This episode offers a critical examination of how threats to civil rights enforcement, mass deportations, and healthcare restrictions can impact your workforce and business outcomes. You'll learn...
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Are You Ready to Be the Inclusive Leader Our World Needs?
Imagine Belonging at Work
In the face of growing opposition, what proactive actions can leaders take to fortify their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments? This final episode of the mini-series "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality" is your guide to moving from a defensive stance to one of proactive leadership. Host Rhodes Perry shares essential strategies for building a powerful "champions coalition" beyond traditional teams, and a roadmap for reimagining your DEI framework to ensure success for everyone. You'll learn to clarify outcomes, design scaled behavior change, and embrace...
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How Are You Addressing Collective Trauma in Your Workforce?
Imagine Belonging at Work
In this episode of the Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality mini-series, we're talking about something every leader needs to be aware of: the profound impact of collective trauma and grief on your workforce. Host Rhodes Perry shares how the current climate amplifies fear and anxiety, disrupting the very fabric of trust and psychological safety in the workplace. This episode provides actionable, trauma-informed strategies to support your employees. You'll learn how to: Provide psychological safety first aid. Acknowledge and validate employees' grief. Model collective...
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Is Your Belonging Strategy a Legal Liability or Asset?
Imagine Belonging at Work
Are you confident your organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are legally sound? In this episode of the Imagine Belonging Podcast mini-series, "Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's New Reality," we explore the shifting legal landscape and what it means for your workplace. Host Rhodes Perry provides a clear-eyed analysis of the legal attacks on workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, including recent court rulings, executive actions, and congressional proposals. This episode gives you the essential legal context to fortify your diversity, equity, and...
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What to do When Your Profession is Under Attack?
Imagine Belonging at Work
In a climate where diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals are facing unprecedented challenges, how can leaders continue to build spaces of belonging? This exclusive mini-series, Navigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s New Reality, inspired by a toolkit originally for Fortune 100 leaders, is your roadmap! Host and creator of the Imagine Belonging Podcast, Rhodes Perry, a nationally recognized belonging culture thought leader, offers the essential guidance you need to navigate the shifting landscape of legal challenges, evolving rhetoric, and evolving workforce strategies....
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 is a globally recognized expert on LGBTQ+ workforce inclusion, corporate social responsibility and corporate public policy advocacy. She is a leader in devising and implementing corporate benchmarking standards for global businesses. Her work has been featured in numerous global outlets including USA Today, Washington Post, and CNN.
Deena shares her perspective and underscores why partnering with external organizations like Out & Equal offers a source of support for leaders eager to defend and double down on advancing their DEIB goals.
Together, we explore:
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Political & Cultural Landscape. How has this fear & uncertainty impacted workplace diversity, equity, & inclusion commitments?
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Better Messaging. What messaging will support your leadership team reaffirm your workplace commitments to belonging?
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Courageous Leadership. How can you activate these commitments into material changes that will build more spaces of belonging?
This interview was designed to support people like you - visionary leaders, and those on their way to joining us. Savor this insightful talk, and if you’re looking for more ways to connect with inspiring leaders like Deena, be sure to join our Belonging Membership Community - a community of practice committed to putting our values of belonging, community, and collaboration into action. Members have the unique opportunity to connect with guests like Deena for 1:1 laser coaching sessions.
Imagine belonging with our community when you join the Belonging Movement Newsletter: www.rhodesperry.com/subscribe.
Interested in learning more about Out & Equal and the benefits of an Out & Equal Partnership? Visit Become a Partner | Out & Equal.
Out & Equal: https://outandequal.org/