In this episode, Professor Funke Abimbola MBE shares her experiences with being asked if someone can call her 'Dave', Yoruba naming traditions and her reflections on progressing society and self-promotion. Professor Funke Abimbola is a London-based Partner at Korn Ferry, a global organisational consultancy. She focuses on delivering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) solutions to clients across the EMEA region. Her professional experience spans over 20 years with a first career as a corporate lawyer in the UK and subsequent careers in C-suite leadership roles within global pharmaceutical companies alongside providing DEI expertise. The impact of Funke's inclusive leadership and DEI work has been recognised by the UK’s Prime Minister and the Financial Times. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s 2017 birthday honours list for services to diversity and young people. The University of Hertfordshire and the University of Kent have both awarded Funke honorary doctorates to recognise the impact of her leadership and her alma mater, Newcastle University, appointed her as Professor of Practice for her DEI efforts, impact and contributions. Funke is the proud mother of a 20-year-old son who is a future software engineer studying Computer Science at university. Together, they host a podcast series called The Power of Privilege and Allyship podcast, showcasing exceptional role models who have used their privilege to maximise the impact of their allyship to transform lives.

In this episode, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Siwan Smith, discusses her experiences with having a Welsh first name despite being Liverpudlian, the issues of making assumptions based on a name, growing up with her name being persistently mispronounced, and the story of the Welsh Princess, Siwan (Joan) of Wales. Siwan is an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager for Arup, a multinational organisation within the built environment sector. Outside of Arup, Siwan also holds the role of Associate Director for Diversity & Inclusion at Anchored In, working to make innovation more inclusive within the UK, and volunteers time to support LMF Network.  Previously holding roles as Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion for Merseyside Police, and Knowledge Transfer Manager - Diversity & Inclusion for KTN, leading on activities for Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation and Young Innovators programmes, Siwan is passionate about enabling and empowering underrepresented groups into business, innovation and employment, and ensuring equitable treatment for all.  In 2021, Siwan was announced as a winner in WeAreTheCity's Rising Star Awards for Diversity, and as runner up for Women's Business Club Diversity & Inclusion Award, and in 2022 Siwan was shortlisted as a Finalist for the Ladies First Inspirational Woman Award, and was recognised in Diversein's 130 Women Who Break The Bias list 2022.

In this episode, hear from Brin, Founder and CEO of Además Consulting, about her experiences of persistent name misgendering, misspelling and being called the wrong name, like 'Bin' and 'Brian'! The discussion also covers the impacts that neurodiversity can have on 'getting names right', and contrasts this with the privilege some individuals with Anglicised or common names may experience and therefore have never needed to consider how to get someone's name right. Brin is a cross-cultural communication expert, and shares her knowledge about this space during the discussion. The episode ends with a discussion into social mobility, and Brin and Maya share their experiences and insights on this topic. Brin is the Founder and CEO of Además Consulting, a boutique consulting firm specialising in trade internationalisation between Australian and Europe. Además is a strategy, communications and trade agency bringing businesses to the world. It is a boutique strategy, communications, and trade internationalisation agency, specialising in developing global business partnerships. Passionate about DEI and immigrant rights, Brin volunteers with the International Workers of Great Britain Union and regularly shares insights about building culturally diverse and inclusive workplaces. Brin grew up in rural Australia and has lived in the UK, Italy and Spain. She speaks native English and has a strong working proficiency in Spanish. Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠⁠ on Instagram. https://ademasconsulting.com/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/brin-mckinnon

Today's episode explores Bashar's experiences with his name in a Western environment, his potential projections about his name and assumptions about what other people might be thinking, and how he links the meaning of his name to how he navigates through life. Bashar (@bashar_salha) is a Ph.D. candidate in art and a creative director who has overcome incredible odds to pursue his passion for art. Originally from Syria, he immigrated to pursue his dreams of higher education and creative expression. Bashar's name represents the thin line between the East and West that he experienced and now lives in. He sees himself as the one who frequently delivers good news to people, As his name implies, and he is determined to fulfil the meaning of his name through his work. Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠⁠ on Instagram.

In this episode, Subira Jones, shares the meanings of her name, Subira, how this has been significant at points throughout her life, including extreme burnout. Subira and Maya also discuss burnout and techniques to avoid it, which Subira supports people around the world with as the Corporate Hippie. Subira Jones aka The Corporate Hippie (@the.corporate.hippie_), founder of MPWRD Consulting, is an ex-investment analyst and former stress addict on a mission to prevent an epidemic of burnt out professionals. If there were a pageant for Burnout, she would have been crowned queen for four consecutive years, from completing her final year of university with her mum in a coma, to being diagnosed with MS early into her career as an investment analyst. The meaning of her name has been reflected in her life, seeing her go from being a Universal Credit recipient to being awarded Young Business Person of the Year. Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠⁠⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram.

In this episode, learn about Taiwanese naming traditions, Eve Lin deciding to use the name Eve when living in the US, and names in Taiwan reflecting the state and history of the country. Eve is a creative B2B digital marketing professional with a passion for art, food, and cats. She is from Kaohsiung, Taiwan and currently resides in Michigan. She helps companies build their authentic brand online, and develops effective digital marketing strategies. In her spare time, she likes to draw, hang out with family and friends, and her cat! Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠⁠ on Instagram.

In this episode, Nat discusses Hispanic and Spanish naming traditions, her reflections on the impacts of Spanish colonisation on naming traditions, and her numerous names. Natalia Cortazar is the CEO and Founder of The Good Egg - an award-winning boutique agency that works hard to create a kinder, more human space for Influencer Marketing. Through hard work, dedication and word of mouth, Nat has a highly international team spanning across the UK, Spain and Malaysia. In a nutshell, Nat set out to create a diverse and inclusive agency that would be hugely prosperous whilst crucially treating influencers like humans, instead of algorithms or cash-cows - and it worked. Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠ on Instagram.

Content warning - discussion issues of depression, suicidality and violence against the trans community. To mark International Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March 2023), listen to Dr. Fox Mega (they/xier) share their journey with choosing the name, Fox, reflections on trans and non-binary communities, German naming restrictions, and the devastation that trans and non-binary people experience across the world. Dr. Fox Mega (they/xier) is a neuroscientist turned social entrepreneur, on a mission to co-create a more just and equitable (working) world, where everyone can feel they belong, their voice matters & their being is valued. As part of this mission, Fox founded the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultancy DMC (Dr. Mega Consulting) in 2018, serving as CEO and principal consultant. Together with the DMC Crew, they are working towards positive social change, by supporting organizations in their transformation into radically human spaces that are built on belonging. Their work spans organizations across sectors and sizes and a diverse range of initiatives in the areas of leadership, culture change, and DEIB strategy. Ultimately, DMC’s theory of change is based on viewing the workplace as a lever to accelerate the United Nations Social Development Goals: 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals). Learn more about trans and non-binary here on Stonewall's Trans Hub. Resources supporting transgender and non-binary people. Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠ on Instagram.

In this episode, Lọ́lá discusses her experiences with name mispronunciation throughout her life, and how it was a particular source of frustration during her formative years. She also reflects on her sons' experiences with Yoruba names, and how times have progressed since Lọ́lá was growing up in London. This episode also outlines Yoruba naming ceremonies and highlights the thought and care which goes into a name. Lọ́lá Béjidé is an experienced career coach and early careers, specialist. Her focus is on helping young professionals navigate their careers in those crucial formative and developmental stages by using a variety of career strategy frameworks coupled with utilising intangible yet essential soft skills, such as crafting and communicating personal value propositions, career planning and career planning and self-leadership. Lọ́lá founded Soluman Consultancy in 2017 after a successful 20 year Senior Business Manager & Global Training Management career within the Banking sector, working at Merrill Lynch, Zenith Bank (Nigeria), JP Morgan, HSBC, ABN AMRO, RBS, and Barclays. Soluman Consultancy creates and delivers Bold, Innovative, and Empowering Career Coaching programmes & our tailored Engage, Empower & Talent Retention solutions for organisations. Our objective is to equip entry & rising talent individuals (0-7 years of corporate experience) to realise their full potential, remove self-imposed or societal perceived limitations and own their career trajectory. @solumanconsultancy Subscribe to be the first to hear name-related stories from across the world, and follow ⁠@thatsmyname_pod⁠ on Instagram.

In this episode, Alistair shares his decision to combine his surname with his partner's surname, his experiences with legally changing his surname in the UK, and his personal reflections as a gay man in the UK and the increased focus on diversity & inclusion in the workplace.  Alistair is a vibrant event professional with over 9 years’ experience in producing meetings and conferences. His main passion is to help independent brands deliver impactful Virtual Events and Meetings delivered with three core principals in mind: Planning, Production and Pride. Having gained event experience within the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, Alistair prides himself on attention to detail and compliance for regulations, whilst being able to inject unique creativity. Alistair lives life by the mantra: every day is an event, so put on a show and learn or teach something new.