Everyone has a way that they want their brand to be positioned and perceived. But is that the same as your company culture? The two often get conflated, and while there is overlap, they are different concepts that will require their own goals and actions to support them. Erica and India break down the confusion over culture versus image. In this discussion: What company culture is Why you need to develop company values, not just brand values Elements of your public image that you can control Where company culture and public image overlap Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility. Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community

Pause On The Play

The Intersection of Public Image and Company Culture

When you’re ill, you hope that you will be cared for with compassion, consideration and competence. But that’s not always what happens. People of marginalized identities often confront racism, bias and lack of accountability when interacting with the medical system. Dr. Nicole Rochester joins Erica to discuss health advocacy and why it is necessary for creating health equity. In this discussion: What a health advocate does Why we need health advocacy and equity How bias and prejudice impact care and patient outcomes Steps to take to advocate for yourself or your loved ones in healthcare settings To learn more about Dr. Rochester: Your GPS Doc Instagram: @theGPSDoc Connect with Dr. Rochester on LinkedIn Dr. Rochester’s TEDx Talk: Overcoming Invisibility: the Doctor-Patient Relationship Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility.  Join us at pauseontheplay.com/communit

Advocacy and Equity in the Healthcare System with Dr. Nicole Rochester

Sometimes it’s just time to move on. But it can be hard to judge when a situation has moved beyond the ability to heal, especially if you’re the kind of person who always wants to see the good in people and situations, or when you find yourself asking “am I just being too sensitive?” Erica recounts her experience with an environment that turned toxic and how she knew it was time to let go. In this discussion: Erica’s story of how an environment slowly changed from a positive to a toxic space Her process of evaluating when to speak up and when to let go A framework for determining what your path to healing might look like What you and your team can do now to make sure you respond in keeping with your values when challenges arise Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility. Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community

You Can't Heal A Wound In An Infected Environment

Are you able to connect with your team outside of the trauma and adrenaline? Or is it only when things are wrong? Are you able to connect when things are filled with ease or even joy? Erica and India discuss the lack of human connection they’re noticing among teams and the hazards of only bonding when something goes wrong.  In this discussion: What trauma bonding is and how it impacts company culture Why adrenaline-fueled moments don’t have to be a bad thing How to ask your team about their values to facilitate connection How values-based bonds improve employee retention  Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility.  Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community

Creating Company Culture Based on Connection and Possibility

When you think about reconsidering your normal, do you think about language? And not just specific word choices, but about how our language is perceived? Erica and India are getting into it with E.K. Powell, creator of the What’s Good English TikTok account and YouTube channel. They dig into African American Vernacular English (AAVE), the perceptions of it, appropriation of it, and an unpopular opinion or two. In this discussion: The origins of African American Vernacular English The concise, expressive grammar of AAVE Who gets a pass when they say words “wrong” Why recognizing, celebrating and crediting AAVE is important To learn more about E.K. Powell: TikTok: @WhatsGoodEnglish What’s Good English on YouTube Instagram: @nodoz88 To learn more about code-switching, check out Episode 115: Challenge the Politics in Your Workplace Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility. Join us at: pauseontheplay.com/community

African-American Vernacular - What's Good English with E.K. Powell

There are a lot of conversations happening about hiring, how to do things differently and how to shift the narrative of how hiring has to be done.  Erica brings you three key questions to ask yourself, or your team, as you’re planning out your goals for the fall and beyond, so you can have clarity and intention in the shifts you make to grow your business. In this discussion: Why you need to shift your network Three prompts to consider as your begin changing your practices Why you need to know how your opportunity benefits the candidate How to expand your concept of workplace safety Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility.  Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community

How to Hire in an Intentional, Ethical, and Considerate Way

As we start looking towards the fourth quarter and even into 2022, it’s a good time to check in with how your values are aligning with your goals and your actions. Erica brings you three key questions to ask yourself, or your team, as you’re planning out your goals for the fall and beyond, so you can have clarity and intention in the shifts you make to grow your business. In this discussion: Three questions to answer to create authentic, cohesive messaging Avoiding pandering Creating the basis to support expanding your business Keep the dialogue going: Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and changemakers at the intersection of values and visibility. Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community

3 Ways to Get Back on Track by Reconnecting with Your Why

So, you want to diversify your network authentically. Where do you begin? The process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not quite sure how to define your goals. Those efforts can also lead to tokenism without thoughtful consideration given to the people behind the demographics. Erica and India return to break down the concept of network diversification with actionable and, yes, authentic steps to help you broaden your associations as well as cultivate greater awareness of the world around you.  In this discussion: Defining authenticity and diversity in the context of network development Identifying new-to-you sources for information, art, and opinion Vetting your roster of go-to experts Avoiding the pitfalls of tokenization Reconsidering your normal Connecting to a variety of opportunities KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Concepts are better explored in community. Actions are more lasting when taken alongside other imperfect allies. Connect with a cohort of entrepreneurs and change makers at the intersection of values and visibility.  Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Diversify Your Network Without Tokenizing the Folks You Wish to Attract

Your desire to amplify communities and help organizations, or consume diverse sources of media and participate in truly inclusive events can have a meaningful impact––if you’re willing to examine the intentions behind those goals.  Erica offers three prompts designed to help folks reflect on their motives and raise self-awareness on the path to doing things differently. In this discussion: Acknowledging the use of and meaning behind self-centered “I” statements  Recognizing urgency and its effects on your motive Examining the duality of your intentions Honoring the evolutionary process of doing differently KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Become part of a support system that honors your evolution as an imperfect ally. Inspired suggestions, honest feedback, and open dialogue exist when you’re part of Pause On The Play The Community. You’re never alone in this work. Join us at pauseontheplay.com/community Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Three Things to Consider When You’re Ready to Do Things Differently

From news stories to social media ads, general statistical indicators such as age, race, gender, and income still provide the basis for evaluating others––whether consciously or unconsciously. Why, when we can do so much better? Erica and India lead by example, offering a primer on how to replace those quantitative, often reductive, demographics with psychographics, a more insightful, qualitative way of understanding folks by honoring their values, interests, lifestyle choices, and opinions.  In this discussion: An introduction to demographics vs psychographics Acknowledging the role demographics plays in clarifying our own biases How traditional media, social media, and marketing have all contributed to the heavy reliance on demographics over psychographics Embodying our roles as “influencers” to promote broader use of psychographics How the evolving nature of an individual’s values is more accurately reflected in psychographic data Integrating psychographic awareness into personal and professional relationships KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Ready to level up your understanding and use of psychographics? Join Erica Courdae and India Jackson for one of their final masterclasses of the year! From Implicit to Explicit: Leading Through Your Values is a small-group virtual event that supports entrepreneurs and leaders as they explore, identify, and integrate values throughout their brand or business. Details at pauseontheplay.com/events.  Need guidance but can’t attend either of the masterclass sessions? Book a private session with the team. Details at https://pauseontheplay.as.me/explicit. Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Psychographics vs Demographics: Honoring Values Over Statistics

Naomi Osaka. Simone Biles. What do they have in common beyond their elite athletic achievements? They’re the latest in a growing number of Black women who’ve publicly pushed back against an unrelenting narrative that minimizes their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing––their humanness. Erica celebrates the power and courageousness of invoking the word NO! in a world that continues to label Black women as both too much and never enough. In this discussion: Acknowledging Black exhaustion Unpacking internal resistance to saying “no” Amplifying our worth and value as people, not commodities, out loud Reclaiming our autonomy related to our physical, emotional, and mental well-being Creating safe spaces for ourselves and others to own their “no” Witnessing Black women and honoring us in our everyday existence  *** Visit the website for the full articles at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/show KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Explore worlds outside of your normal, witness and honor the beauty of alternative versions, and learn by example how to live out loud. Join Erica Courdae and India Jackson at Dropping The Veil, their 3-day virtual event featuring a diverse panel of guests. Thursday, August 12 through Saturday, August 14. Details at pauseontheplay.com/events.  Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

The Power of Saying "No"

Leadership is less this is what I do, and more this is my way of being. But how to fully express that principle throughout your business, your brand, your life? Transparent communication can get you there. You already know we’re keen on the power of conversation here Pause On The Play. A strategy of open dialogue telegraphs your values to those you work with, for, and around.  Erica breaks down five essential, actionable steps that will ensure every aspect of your business is aligned and embodies your core beliefs. In this discussion: Defining the concept of leadership Exploring the power of vulnerability and transparency Why engaging your team in the dialogue strengthens working relationships Considering core values when working with outside service providers Why aligning team evaluation methods is important to values integration Living team values out loud Creating space for challenging conversations and inviting honest feedback  *** Visit the website for the full articles at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/show KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Here’s your invitation to join Erica Courdae and India Jackson in transparent conversation. Dropping The Veil, is their 3-day virtual event featuring a diverse panel of guests who have chosen to be more of who they are out loud in order to demonstrate what’s possible.  Thursday, August 12 - Saturday, August 14. Details at pauseontheplay.com/events.  Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Transparent Communication: a Values-Based Leadership Approach

Hey guys, where do you stand on language usage? If you aren’t already picking apart the previous sentence, it’s time to cultivate greater awareness around the societal and cultural conditioning that lurks beneath seemingly innocuous words and phrases. Erica and India are joined by author and award-winning life coach Hanneke Antonelli to examine the impact our word choices have on promoting implicit gendered, ableist, and racist biases, among others. They also provide steps for incorporating inclusive language into everyday exchanges, complete with a teachable moment in real time.  In this discussion: The lifelong process of deprogramming from historically acceptable, offensive language How your word choice impacts others Cultivating an awareness of cultural and community nuances The power of accountability and accepting feedback Establishing boundaries around what words or phrases you will and won’t accept Questioning word usage and a subsequent course correction in real time *** Visit the website for the full articles at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/show KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING When you’re in conversation with others, you gain perspective, question conditioning, and create change. These moments don’t happen unless you feel comfortable talking, sharing, and being yourself in a shame- and blame-free space.  Here’s your invitation to join Erica Courdae and India Jackson at Dropping The Veil, their 3-day virtual event featuring a diverse panel of guests. Details at pauseontheplay.com/events.  Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Examining Our Relationship to Language and Implicit Bias with Hanneke Antonelli

Everyone’s mental health journey is unique to their history, personality, and access to support. But as divergent as our paths might seem, no one ever truly walks alone. Erica and India combine full transparency with softness in this intimate look at their personal relationships with trauma and healing. They share the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of their experiences with anyone struggling to express complex feelings.   CONTENT DISCLOSURE: This conversation covers physical, mental, and sexual trauma, including sexual violence and its aftermath. Please take care of yourself with this material. Neither Erica Courdae nor India Jackson is a mental health professional. Their insights are provided for conversational purposes only and not meant to diagnose or treat physical and/or mental health issues. In this discussion: Language to support individual narratives around mental health, especially for Black and Brown folks Examples of physical and emotional responses to “big T” traumas Effects of generational trauma Honoring rest and recovery as part of the healing process Self-directed education on topics related to mental wellbeing Numbing and what happens in the absence of access to such activities Experimenting with healing modalities and personal practices The right vs the privilege to seek support and pay that forward *** Visit the website for the full articles at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/show KEEP THE DIALOGUE GOING Cause and effect take on a whole new meaning within Pause On The Play The Community. Here, Erica and India guide members through the process of picking a cause to support. Members can positively impact their chosen cause - say, mental health - via activities that support its purpose and visibility. Spark honest, transparent, and vulnerable conversations about healing with fellow community members at https://www.pauseontheplay.com/community. Be sure to rate + review the podcast!

Finding the Language to Talk About Mental Health and Trauma as Members of The Black Community

Pause On The Play is where you are challenged to examine your beliefs, question your predisposed notions, and consider realities you may be unfamiliar with in order to understand that they too are real. Erica Courdae and co-host India Jackson have real conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion, visibility, mindset, and everything in between. Topics include imperfect allyship, imposter syndrome, company culture, and how you can feel more aligned and empowered in your business marketing. Let's go beyond the surface and move into action, today.

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