Navigating Race, Mental Health and Well-being in Corporate America
Everyday Conversations on Race
Release Date: 03/30/2025
Navigating Race, Mental Health and Well-being in Corporate America
Everyday Conversations on Race
How can Black professionals address the mental, physical and emotional toll of success in corporate America? Join Simma Lieberman, the Inclusionist, in this insightful episode of Everyday Conversations on Race with guests Shaniqua McClendon and Justin Grant. Shaniqua, VP of Politics at Crooked Media, and Justin, an executive at JP Morgan Chase, share their personal stories and experiences about the significance of discussing race in society and corporate environments. They also delve into the intricacies of mental, physical and emotional health, especially for Black individuals in corporate...
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How Racist Competency Checks Prevent Merit-Based Hiring
Everyday Conversations on Race
Have you ever felt challenged or questioned because of your race? In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma Lieberman welcomes Shari Dunn, author of Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work. Explore how race affects perceptions of competence and the real-world impacts of systemic racism in the workplace. You'll understand how racist competency checks can impede merit-based hiring. With personal anecdotes and historical insights, Shari Dunn sheds light on how people of color, especially Black women, face unfair scrutiny and bias in their...
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Can Descendants of the Enslaved Reconcile with the Enslavers?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Magic Mind Bundle: Get 45% off the Magic Mind bundle with Simma's exclusive link: (Support mental health services for the homeless and low-income communities) Are you ready to explore the challenging topics of race and reconciliation? In this episode of 'Everyday Conversations on Race,' hosted by Simma Lieberman, we dive deep into the initiatives of the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation. Guests Monique Trusclair Maddox and Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, share their compelling stories and the foundation's mission to address the historical injustices of Jesuit-owned...
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Can Individuals Really End Racism?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Summary: In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Simma Lieberman is joined by Dr. Joe-Joe McManus and Juan Lopez, two individuals who share their experiences and insights into anti-racism and building true, meaningful interracial relationships. The conversation focuses on the importance of talking about race, the difference between being "non-racist" and "anti-racist," and how everyone can take small actions to fight racism. The episode highlights the need for intentional relationships across cultures and races, the significance of sharing personal stories, and the long-term process...
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How do Indigenous Native American and Kenyan cultures connect?
Everyday Conversations on Race
In this exciting episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, host Simma Lieberman brings together Karen Waukazoo, a Rosebud Sioux tribe member and advocate for American Indians, and Jennifer Ngure, a Kenyan-born wellness coach, to discuss the profound ways culture connects and heals communities. Karen and Jennifer share their personal journeys of overcoming addiction, mental health challenges, and cultural shocks. They reveal surprising commonalities between Native American and Kenyan cultures, emphasizing the importance of community, traditional healing practices, and the role of...
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Breaking Bias with Anu Gupta
Everyday Conversations on Race
In this conversation on race, Anu Gupta talks about race, bias, and solutions. Anu Gupta thinks we are all biased, and that we all need to be "Breaking Bias," every day. In this episode, he shares his story of how other people's bias almost caused him to take his life. Anu Gupta is a renowned meditation teacher, human rights lawyer, scientist, and author of the book "Breaking Bias.'" The discussion centers around the profound impact of biases, including Anu's personal experiences with racial 'othering' and post-9/11 Islamophobia, which led to his severe mental health struggles. He...
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How Can Art Eliminate Racism?
Everyday Conversations on Race
How can art bring people together in a world divided by race and culture? In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race," we explore how creativity can break down walls and build genuine relationships across cultures. Meet two artists who use their craft to challenge boundaries and connect communities. Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez, a Chicano artist and former gang member, shares his journey from the streets of San Francisco to becoming a renowned muralist. Carlos reveals how he turned his life around through art and now brings people together through community murals that tell the stories...
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Growing Up Biracial in a White World: Desiree Chang's Journey of Identity and Race
Everyday Conversations on Race
Imagine how you would feel if you were a biracial child raised by your white mother and knew nothing about your Black father or his culture. People treated you differently from your white cousins and the white kids at school, but you didn’t know why. In this Everyday Conversation on Race episode Desiree Chang, the Director of Education and Outreach for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, joins me. Desiree shares her unique journey growing up in a mostly white community in Amish country, Pennsylvania, and later moving to a diverse high school in Delaware. She opens up...
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Will Music Transcend Racial Divides?
Everyday Conversations on Race
Join Simma the Inclusionist in this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race" as she discusses how culture connects us. The episode features special guests Kaati Gaffney and Ashel Seasunz Eldridge, who have extensive musical backgrounds. Discover how music shapes their perspectives on race and inclusion. Tune in for insightful conversations and engaging discussions on the power of culture to bring people together. Key Moments: [00:00:47] Music as a Cultural Connector. [00:05:01] Cultural unity and division. [00:09:13] Growing up in diverse communities. [00:17:01] Why talk about race?...
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Racial Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Everyday Conversations on Race
Why is there an increase in young people dying from Colorectal Cancer? Why are young people dying at a greater rate than anyone else? Are people under 50 too young to get colorectal cancer? In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race," Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, is joined by Lisa Hall, Senior Director of Prevention and Screening at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. They tell us why so many people are being diagnosed too late, and why more non-white people are dying compared to white people. Michael shares his personal...
info_outlineHow can Black professionals address the mental, physical and emotional toll of success in corporate America? Join Simma Lieberman, the Inclusionist, in this insightful episode of Everyday Conversations on Race with guests Shaniqua McClendon and Justin Grant. Shaniqua, VP of Politics at Crooked Media, and Justin, an executive at JP Morgan Chase, share their personal stories and experiences about the significance of discussing race in society and corporate environments. They also delve into the intricacies of mental, physical and emotional health, especially for Black individuals in corporate America. Listen in to hear their personal stories and how they had to learn and practice self-care strategies for their mental, physical and emotional health.
How can developing and being part of a supportive community help maintain healthy blood pressure, prevent heart attacks and build a strong immune system?
How does meditation, deep breathing, walking and other exercise reduce stress, and anxiety and support success?
Discover practical advice, inspirational stories, and engaging discussions that highlight the importance of community, self-care, and systemic change.
The techniques, practices and actions they share as Black people in corporate America should be used by anyone who cares about their own mental, physical and emotional well-being in our society today.
Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation and learn how to navigate these critical issues effectively.
Get 45% off the Magic Mind bundle or 20% off a one-time purchase with Simma's exclusive link: magicmind.com/SimmaL20
(Support mental health services for the homeless and low-income communities.)
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:41 Meet the Guests: Shaniqua McClendon and Justin Grant
02:15 The Importance of Discussing Race
02:33 Historical Context and Systemic Issues
07:36 Personal Stories: Shaniqua McClendon
11:45 Personal Stories: Justin Grant
15:48 Mental Health and Corporate America
29:15 The Importance of Mental Health Support
30:55 Stigma Around Therapy in the Black Community
32:43 Ethno Therapy and Cultural Considerations
35:15 Navigating Corporate America as a Black Professional
41:42 Strategies for Self-Care and Community Building
52:22 Final Thoughts and Parting Advice
Guests Bio:
Justin Grant is an accomplished writer, marketer, community development and corporate communications leader with more than a decade of experience leading high-profile campaigns in the asset management and financial services industries. He serves as a mentor to numerous students and young professionals of varying backgrounds, both in the United States and Brazil, and sits on the Board of Trustees at Long Island University, where he has taught journalism. Grant is the author of the new book, “Company Men: A Wellness Guide for Black Men in Corporate America” (Wordeee, Feb. 12, 2025).
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Shaniqua McClendon is the Vice President of Politics for Crooked Media (home to the popular podcast, Pod Save America), a political strategist and sought-after speaker and commentator on media, politics, voting, and race. At Crooked Media, she leads their political strategy and civic engagement program (Vote Save America), and also created their successful 2020 volunteer engagement and fundraising program
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Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, Everyday Conversations on Race.
Contact [email protected] to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences.
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
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