Today I have a Conversation About Shit That Matters With Unqualified People (CASTMWUP as we call it over here). But, this time my guest/friend is qualified to talk about today’s topic on diversity and inclusion. CASTMWUP episodes are less interviews and more conversations between friends. 

I assume people who listen to my podcast are those willing to engage in this conversation about race. I am not a race educator, but Jessica Sharp is. She has a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri and is currently a student at William James College where she is obtaining a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology. Her work experience includes work in the non-profit sector and work in diversity & inclusion. My hope is that white women listen to Black voices who are race-educators, especially Black women. Because none of us are free until we’re all free. 

http://yourkickasslife.com/347

Leesa Renee Hall has helped over 33,000 leaders explore their unconscious biases using her signature process called Explore Biases Now. Author of ten books, Leesa was known as a technology pioneer before turning her attention to disrupting the misinformation hardcoded deep in the mind. I am thrilled to be able to share our important conversation with you this week! 

Today Leesa and I discuss reflective writing and self-reflection as an investment in your own life and your own healing. We explore the topic of stumbling bravely through understanding and processing our humanity. And, finally, we discuss how to stay in the work of unpacking your unconscious biases so you stand with and not for, black, indigenous, and people of color. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Leesa shares how she transitioned from working in tech to questioning her legacy and then moving to help others explore and unpack their unconscious biases. (3:33)
• By developing a habit around self-reflection, you begin to accept the nuances and complexities within yourself. (11:00)
• Why there is a disconnect between what we believe versus how we behave. (19:00)
• Leesa’s work with introverted, highly-sensitive people. (23:07)
• What happens to your nervous system when unpacking unconscious biases. (27:11)
• How to begin unpacking your unconscious biases, some first steps you can take. (43:00)
• Why perfectionism is a tool of white supremacy. (46:53)

http://yourkickasslife.com/346

Today, I bring you a YKAL Coaching session. Katie is a proud introvert and physical therapist in Nevada. She came to me because she has a desire to reduce her work capacity so she can focus on following her passions and interests. Together we discuss what she’s been struggling with and why she has been having such a difficult time changing the trajectory of her job. We also uncover some of Katie’s fears such as being seen as imperfect or non-knowledgeable in her field. 

I encourage you to listen to the entire episode because Katie’s update was really interesting. As we say in coaching, a lot of the healing happens in between sessions. And as you will hear, such was the case for Katie. 

http://yourkickasslife.com/345

When I met this week’s guest, I knew I needed to have her on the show, just based on her enthusiasm alone. Emily Francis is the host of the radio show All About Healing and author of the new book, Whole Body Healing: Create Your Own Path to Physical, Emotional, Energetic, and Spiritual Wellness. One of the reasons I’m pumped to introduce you to her is because I’ve never had a guest on the show who does the kind of work that Emily does. 

Today we discuss how body memory leads us to carry pain, releasing your body of emotions, and leaning into joy and gratitude. I learned so much from our time together and I hope you do too! 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• About muscle memory and why we carry pain where we do. Muscle memory is very much like mental memory. Our bodies remember. (11:01)
• Some ways the body communicates its emotions - aka the body’s somatic languages. (22:00)
• The importance of working with the body for the release of emotions, like grief or anxiety. (29:00)
• How we can use tissue memory for healing. (31:00)
• Listening to your own body - aka the body scan. (43:36)

http://yourkickasslife.com/344

How does the enneagram relate to personal development? Well, today we find out. Jessica Denise Dickson is a life empowerment Enneagram coach (and Black mermaid) who believes that when Black women heal, the world heals. She joins me to talk about the enneagram as a transformative tool for personal development. 

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this topic and guest-- as I’ve wanted to have someone on for eons. Today, we discuss what the enneagram is, how it can help you become more self-aware, and help you address your blind spots. We also discuss what the enneagram has to offer during this time of global pandemic and global reckoning with systems of oppression. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• There are a lot of ideas about the enneagram - Jessica breaks down what it is and what it is not. (3:59)
• How the enneagram can help with self-awareness and empathy. (10:38)
• Learning your type can be a personal and private experience, as well as, one of validation. (14:20)
• For systems to change, it comes from doing the work. Jessica shares some information about her course for people who identify as white. (29:31)
• Enneagram and relationships - there are no rules for making it work between different enneagram types. (37:27)
• Conflict resolution through the lens of the enneagram. (42:58)

http://yourkickasslife.com/343