Speaking of Inclusion...

"Speaking of Inclusion..." explores the role of inclusion within society, workplaces and beyond. Listen along to thought-provoking conversations with special guests from a range of industries, delving into topics such as gender identity, anti-racism, inclusive recruitment, and of course… the role of allies. You can expect insightful discussions, practical advice, and inspiring stories that will take you from being simply being curious to confidently navigating conversations about diversity and equality. Hosted by Katie Allen, Inclusion Coach and TEDx speaker, and creator of Allyship In Action.

Speaking of Inclusion... is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 75 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Speaking of Inclusion..., a society show with 75 episodes published.

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  Episode #74

  This Bus is a Safe Space - with Ian de Chastelain

  Sep 29, 20261h 25mS3

  This conversation focuses on the real steps Stagecoach East is taking to make its buses safe spaces, especially for women and girls. Ian de Chastelain , Training Manager at Stagecoach East, shares with Katie Allen how a chance encounter with a flyer from Businesses Against Abuse led to a whole new direction for the organisation’s driver training and broader approach to community inclusion. Topics include violence against women and girls, bystander intervention, psychological safety, and the practical realities of inclusion on public transport. Ian explains how Stagecoach’s operational and cultural change was achieved not by top-down edict but through real employee involvement, collaborative development of training, and external partnerships, particularly with police and crisis services. The discussion also highlights the challenges of embedding safeguarding and bystander intervention, why supporting employees is foundational to customer safety, and the ripple effect that a single, inclusive initiative can have across an entire industry. The episode offers useful insight for anyone interested in workplace culture, DEI, leadership, and making tangible progress on issues of safety and inclusion. THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS A flyer in a coffee shop became the unlikely catalyst for Stagecoach East taking a stand on violence against women and girls, sparking a cross-team initiative that changed company-wide training and community partnerships. The introduction of the "This Bus is a Safe Place" scheme proved that practical inclusion starts with giving frontline staff both training and authority, backed by supportive leadership,even when the answers create operational headaches. The ripple effect of one company’s efforts led to national recognition and the rollout of bystander intervention andsafeguarding modules that are now shaping best practice across the UK bus industry. Plus we mentioned the 5 D’s of bystander intervention (Delegate, Direct, Document, Distract, Delay) as developed by Right To Be and Green Dot . REFLECTIVE QUESTION FOR LISTENERS When did you last notice an opportunity to challenge "the way things are done" in your workplace or community, and what stopped you, or pushed you, to take action? GUEST CONTACT DETAILS Press and media enquiries can be directed to Stephen Kiely of Stagecoach East. www.stagecoachbus.com A FEW FINAL WORDS… If you value this conversation and want to help keep the Speaking of Inclusion podcast ad-free, consider treating Katie to a virtual coffee at coff.ee/speakingofinclusion. Your support helps keep these real, unfiltered conversations flowing. Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen. Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations. www.KatieAllenConsulting.com Theme music is courtesy of Kevin MacLeod: Attribution Code"Vicious" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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  Episode #71

  Why Goals Don't Work - with Radhika Dutt

  Aug 4, 20261h 19mS3

  Why Goals Don't Work (and what to do instead) This conversation centres on why traditional goal-setting methods often backfire, both for business and personal growth. Radhika Dutt , author of Radical Product Thinking , discusses why the corporate obsession with goals, targets, and OKRs can actually stifle creativity, mislead teams, and encourage short-term thinking. Drawing on examples from tech, leadership, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and even personal decision-making, Radhika shares an alternative approach, treating business and life challenges as puzzles to be solved rather than targets to be hit. This mindset shift, she argues, leads to better team inclusion, alignment around purpose, and more sustainable results. Listeners get to hear practical frameworks for vision-setting, prioritisation, and reflective practice, plus stories aboutethical decision-making, burnout, and what it means to truly engineer change in workplaces. Leadership, psychological safety, culture change, and the costs of ignoring alignment also all get a mention, giving listeners tangible ways torethink how they work and lead. Three Key Takeaways form this Episode: A clear, detailed vision is more powerful for alignment than traditional, broad mission statements. Radhika demonstrates how specificity in a vision provides a practical anchor for decisions, unlike vague slogans thatquickly become irrelevant or forgotten (09:57). "Goals and targets as evaluation tools kill curiosity and learning." Radhika shares a personal example where hitting targets masked underlying problems and stopped people from bringing up early warning signs, showing how this mindset shuts down honesty and curiosity in teams (40:54). Reflecting on experience, not just having it, is where actual growth happens. The discussion lands on how personal and organisational development rely less on what happens to us, and more on consciously reflecting and course-correcting in line with our values andpurpose (01:11:44). Things we said we’d include in the show notes: Radical Product Thinking is Radkida’s first book, it's available wherever books are sold. The OHLA toolkit (observe, hypothesise, learn, adapt) is a downloadable resource for puzzle setting and puzzle solving, and is available for free at radicalproduct.com Notes to John by Joan Didion is the book referenced about communicating growth in relationships Follow Radhika Dutt on LinkedIn for more content As you listen to the episode, ask yourself: Where in your work or life are you sticking with targets or beliefs that no longer fit, and how might you reframe them aspuzzles to solve instead? If you value this conversation and want to help keep the Speaking of Inclusion podcast ad-free, consider treating Katie to a virtual coffee at coff.ee/speakingofinclusion. Your support helps keep these real, unfiltered conversations flowing. Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen. Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations. www.KatieAllenConsulting.com Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds - "No Drama" by Alder

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  Episode #70

  Empowering the Next Generation of Girls - with Marsha Powell

  Jul 7, 202650 minS3

  In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Marsha Powell , CEO of BelEve, a UK-based charity dedicated to empowering girls aged 8 to 22 as they navigate major life transitions, from education into the workplace. Marsha is an unapologetic champion for girls’ empowerment and organisational transformation, and in this conversation, she shares both her personal journey and her team’s evolving focus on bridging the readiness gap for young women. Ensuring they step into their futures not just with confidence, but with the tools, support, and opportunities they need tothrive. We explore the realities of workplace readiness, not just from the perspective of preparing ambitious girls for the challenges ahead, but also addressing the ways in which organisations themselves must evolve to receive, support, and nurture the next generation of diverse talent. Three Key Takeaways: Empowerment Alone Is Not Enough: While confidence-building and empowerment are essential, Marsha explains that girls must also be equipped with insight, access, practical experience, and networks to truly thrive as they transition into adulthood and the workforce. The Readiness Gap Exists on Both Sides: It is not just young people who must be ready for work, organisations must also be ready for an ambitious, diverse cohort of young women and must address biases and structural barriers that persist within workplace systems. Lasting Change Demands Partnership: Marsha calls for genuine partnership between organisations, schools, charities, and individuals to build an ecosystem of opportunity, which means more than paying lip service to equality, but actively becoming gate-openers, pipeline builders, and mentors. A Question to Reflect On: How ready is your workplace, not just to attract the next generation of young, ambitious women, but to provide the support, access, and opportunity needed for them to thrive and lead? You can connect with Marsha in the following ways: Website: www.BelEveUK.org Email: Info@beleveuk.org Call: 0203 372 5779 Visit: 372 Brockley Rd, London SE4 2BY Marsha and I also spoke about meeting through the MD2MDnetwork, managed by the incredible Emma Phipps, which you can find more details of on their website www.md2md.co.uk If you value this conversation and want to help keep the Speaking of Inclusion podcast ad-free, consider treating Katie to a virtual coffee at coff.ee/speakingofinclusion. Your support helps keep these real, unfiltered conversations flowing. Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen .Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations. www.KatieAllenConsulting.com Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds - "No Drama" by Alder

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  Episode #69

  Lead from your heart - with Scott Martin

  Jun 23, 20261h 10mS3

  In this episode of Speaking of Inclusion… I am joined by Scott Martin . An award-winning soccer coach, author, quad amputee, and passionate disability advocate. We talk about his extraordinary journey, as captured in his recently released book, Play From Your Heart , which weaves together his experiences of resilience, dealing with disability, and his lifelong commitment to making football (soccer) and wider society more inclusive. Scott shared the pivotal moment when he survived necrotising fasciitis, leading to major life changes for him and his family, and also his abrupt realisation he was now part of the disability community. Scott shares candid stories ofdiscrimination and the reality of rebuilding confidence after trauma, all while attempting to continue his coaching career. We also touch on the wider themes of inclusion, disability advocacy, the beauty of football as a uniting force, especially during the World Cup, and the responsibilities of individuals and organisations to do more in creating genuinely accessible environments. Three Key Takeaways: The lived experiences of disabled people are still often sidelined and progress is required from both organisational approaches to change as well as individual open-mindedness. True inclusion means more than representation, and Scott is clear about the importance of seeing disabled colleagues or community members as fully human, not as simply defined by their difference. Resilience, community, and openness (plus a bit of footballing spirit) can help us challenge both inner doubts and external barriers. A question to reflect on: How can you ensure you’re not just including people with visible differences, but also ensuring you give them equitable opportunities to thrive in your community, workplace, or team? Things we said we’d include in this episode’s show notes: Direct links to buy Scott’s book, Play From Your Heart Buy Play From Your Heart from World of Books Buy Play From Your Heart from Amazon UK Buy Play From Your Heart from Amazon US Scott’s contact details : reader.playfromyourheart@gmail.com with a note to mention the Speaking of Inclusion… podcast when reaching out. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please consider buying me a virtual coffee and helping keep this podcast going. Visit: coff.ee/speakingofinclusion Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen. Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations. www.KatieAllenConsulting.com Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds - "No Drama" by Alder

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  Episode #68

  Generational Gaps - with Jess Jarrold

  Jun 9, 20261h 10mS3

  In today’s episode of Speaking of Inclusion... I am joined by Jess Jarrold , a leadership coach with a passion for unlocking the potential of cross-generational teams. Together, we explore the current landscape of the workplace, challenging the stereotypes surrounding different generations, and considering how confidence and communication underpin effective leadership… no matter your age or experience. Throughout our conversation, Jess shares her journey from the world of advertising and media to executive coaching, reveals the importance of authentic connection, and looks at how leaders can empower all team members to thrive. Along the way, we she also addresses some persistent myths, reflects on why onboarding and feedback really matter, and discusses why the "one job for life" mentality is fading fast. Here are three key takeaways to listen out for: Confidence vs. Authority: True leadership isn’t about projecting authority or ticking off experience milestones. It's about self-awareness, curiosity, and creating an environment where everyone, no matter their generation, feels valued. Consistent, Individualised Communication: Retention and team morale are rooted in clear, consistent communication, especially from middle managers. Knowing your people as individuals, and tailoring your approach, sets the stage forcommercial and cultural success. Reframing Stereotypes: Age-based assumptions, whether about digital skills or career ambition, harm inclusion. Every generation and every person brings unique insights, and it’s up to leaders to set the tone for learning, development, and respect in every direction. Reflection question for listeners: While you listen today, consider this: How does your own experience shape the way you relate to colleagues of different ages?What might you notice differently, starting tomorrow, to better harness the strengths of everyone on your team? Connect with Jess Jarrold on LinkedIn If you found value in this episode, please consider buying me, Katie, a virtual coffee at coff.ee/speakingofinclusion. Your support helps to keep Speaking of Inclusion independent and available for everyone who wants to build a more inclusive world. Speaking of Inclusion is hosted by Katie Allen . Katie is a specialist inclusion consultant and confidence coach, offering a no BS approach to DEI and helping people become more confident in important human conversations. www.KatieAllenConsulting.com Theme music is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds - "No Drama" by Alder

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