DEI work does not happen in a vacuum. As political tension, polarization, and anti-DEI efforts continue to shape public conversation, those dynamics show up inside workplaces too.In this replay episode of DEI After 5, Sacha Thompson talks with Sara Taylor of Deep See Consulting about the future of DEI in a contentious political landscape. With decades of experience in the field, Sara offers a grounded look at how organizations can navigate backlash, shifting language, internal resistance, and the deeper work of culture change.This conversation explores why DEI is not just a set of programs or statements—it is organizational change work that requires clarity, communication, cultural competence, and the willingness to consider perspectives beyond our own. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

Wellness at work isn’t just yoga and apps—it’s community, honesty, and how we treat people when things feel uncertain. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with wellness coach and former record executive KutiMac about self-care that actually holds up in real life.Kuti shares his journey from the music industry to keynote speaking and workplace wellness, and we get into what it means to stay grounded, question norms, and build relationships that keep you (and your people) steady. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

When life feels heavy or uncertain, resilience is not just about pushing through alone. It is about finding your village, caring for yourself, and creating the support systems that help you keep moving.In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Shazad Carbaidwala, an experienced coach, leader, speaker, and former SAP professional based in the Chicagoland area. Shazad shares lessons from his career, coaching work, and service in law enforcement to explore what it really takes to stay grounded during adversity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Stacey Gordon. In this episode, we zoom out to the bigger issue: the systems people have been naming for decades—and why this moment feels louder, messier, and harder to navigate.We talk about how increased access to information has raised awareness, but also created an environment where misinformation spreads fast and people struggle to separate truth from narrative. We also connect the dots to workplace realities—pay disparity, the value of institutional knowledge, retention, and why DEI practitioners can’t do this work in silos. Coalitions matter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

A lot of organizations didn’t suddenly “get tired” of DEI—many were fatigued long before 2020, then sprinted to copy what competitors were doing. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with inclusive leadership expert Stacey Gordon about what’s real, what’s performative, and how leaders build equitable practices that actually hold up under pressure.We discuss DEI fatigue, corporate inauthenticity, values vs. imitation, and the hidden systems—like cronyism dressed up as meritocracy—that keep inequity in place. You’ll also hear practical guidance on talent decisions, hiring, and leadership accountability. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

When the world feels nonstop, self-care can’t just be bubble baths and “take a break” advice—it has to include boundaries, community, and a realistic way to keep going without losing yourself. In this episode, Sacha reconnects with therapist and social justice advocate Ashley McGirt for a grounded conversation about exhaustion, advocacy, and what it actually looks like to reset.Ashley shares lessons from her work in community advocacy (including serving as a health chair with the NAACP), her experiences traveling to over 60 countries, and a powerful story that connects resilience to the treacherous journey of sea turtles. Along the way, we talk about communication boundaries, building a culture of care, and small practices that help you stay human in chaotic times. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

Parenting right now can feel like trying to protect your kids from the world and prepare them for it at the same time. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Pooja Kothari about how parents can navigate today’s global and national issues without fear-based messaging—by building critical thinking, media literacy, and the habit of questioning assumptions.Pooja shares her journey from public defender at the Legal Aid Society in Brooklyn to becoming an anti-oppression facilitator. Together, they unpack how oppressive language shows up in systems (including the legal system), how it shapes power dynamics, and what parents can do to notice what we unconsciously perpetuate—at home, in school conversations, and in community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we are sharing the Fully Flavored Business Podcast episode, in which co-founders Lace Flowers and Sutton McCraney welcome Sacha Thompson, a leadership development strategist and founder of the Equity Equation. Sacha shares her insights on building psychologically safe, high-performing workplace cultures and the importance of inclusion in organizational settings. She discusses her journey in the equity and inclusion space, highlighting the necessity of having willing participants for successful initiatives. Tune in to explore meaningful conversations around human-centered leadership and workplace culture, and discover how Sacha’s work is making a difference in the community. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of DEI After Five, we continue our insightful conversation with wellness coach KutiMack, diving deep into the crucial topic of sleep and its significance for overall wellness. The discussion highlights the modern struggle of feeling numb to stress and anxiety due to the normalization of these feelings in our daily lives. Kuti emphasizes the body’s remarkable adaptability and resilience, while warning against the dangers of frequently testing our limits. Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights and practical tips on how to prioritize sleep and manage stress effectively. Tune in for this enlightening part two! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe

The cannabis industry is growing—but most people are still confused about the basics: hemp vs. marijuana, what’s legal where, and what opportunities are actually emerging for jobs, entrepreneurship, and inclusive access. In this episode, Sacha Thompson talks with Nicole Vanderhorst, CEO & Founder of W.H. Farms Co. (North Carolina), about building a vertically integrated botanical manufacturing business rooted in the industrial hemp sector.We break down the real-world landscape of cannabis in the U.S., how policy shifts shape the market, and why manufacturing and workforce pathways matter—especially for communities that have historically been excluded from opportunity. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit deiafter5.substack.com/subscribe