What Rules!?: A career podcast for women of color

46. Learning to Win as an Outsider

Today we're talking about getting comfortable in our own skin and overcoming self-doubt. Being an outsider doesn't mean you don't belong! Join Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary as they chat with Elizabeth Colón-Rivera, President & CEO of Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions LLC, about how to own your reality by reframing it in a powerful way. Or as she puts it, "You don't have to compete with anyone. Not even yourself. You just have to be you." ––– "You can actually leverage being an outsi...

45. Got My Mindset On Me

Stanford psychologist, Carol Dweck, once said: "The fixed mindset makes you concerned with how you’ll be judged; the growth mindset makes you concerned with improving." For multicultural women, adopting this growth mindset is critical to shaping our own success. Listen as Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary discuss what it means to embrace trying as a form of growth. Can we really train our minds to better imagine the immensities of our true potential? “If you imagine less, less will be what you u...

44. Not in it Alone

Has there ever been a time you thought you needed to go it alone, only to discover the beauty of having other people around to see you through it? Hosts Alisa, Rosa, and Dr. Merary are joined this week by Partner and Chief Client Officer for RMB Capital, Michele Francisco, to discuss how breaking the rule that you have to do everything yourself in order to be successful just might have the potential to change your whole life for the better. ––– More from Michele: LinkedIn Join our Linked...

43. Turning Your Insecurities into Superpowers

The urge to fit in, especially among colleagues, can be incredibly hard to resist. But there's good reason to believe that taking what others see as a quirk and spinning it as your own personal accent might, in fact, be your greatest gift! This week, Alisa and Dr. Merary chat with 5xminority Founder, Elaine Montilla, about how she took advantage of being a queer Latina in tech and found her place in the world by turning her insecurities into superpowers. Elaine’s poem: My Superpowers —— ...

42. Befriending the Unlikely Person at Work

At Color Forward, we're always talking about relationships in some capacity, but today we're specifically diving into friendships in the workplace and their essential place in advancing your career. Join Alisa and Rosa as they hear from Diversity Marketer, Shantell Thomas, about all the ways that fraternizing with folks who don't fit your typical friend profile is a rule everyone should learn to break. —— More from Shantell: LinkedIn Join our LinkedIn group! More from Rosa: LinkedIn ...

41. The Changemaker’s Guide to Rule-breaking & Risk-taking

Having been raised predominantly by her single mother, Shruti Kothari is no stranger to breaking the rules. Not only has she defied cultural norms to find success in the business world, but she's continually perfected the art of risk-taking by putting herself out there in the name of bettering her community. Listen as Rosa and Alisa catch up with Shruti, Director of Industry Initiatives at Blue Shield of California and Founder of Women of Community, to learn what being a real changemaker i...

40. Wait, There Are Rules!?

Since we first launched Color Forward in 2019, we've dedicated ourselves to studying successful women who have overcome cultural barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and mastered the art of resilience. Want to know what these women all have in common? They all excel at breaking the rules. Listen as Rosa, Merary, and Alisa discuss the future of the podcast and what it really means to break rules, both obvious and unspoken. Rules women are breaking to get ahead. Strategies they're using to ou...

39. Dr. Shindale Seale, Cultural Equity & Diversity Strategist on WOC Getting Advanced Degrees

We all know what it feels like to face something so huge, it seems insurmountable. Landing a dream job, saving for a new home, trying to start a family, or just... going back to school. Life's greatest pleasures often seemed locked behind years of struggle and sacrifice. But where there's a will, there's a way... right? Listen as Dr. Merary and Alisa chat with Dr. Shindale Seale about what happens when you look past the pain of "getting there" and things finally start to click. "When you'r...

38. Perla Tamez, Serial Entrepreneur, on Grabbing Fear by the Horns

When you're starting something new or making a significant change in your life, whether it be a new job, starting a business, standing up for yourself, or even public speaking, fear is inevitable. Listen as Alisa, Rosa, and Merary discuss what they learned from philanthropist and entrepreneur, Perla Tamez, about looking fear right in the eyes and facing it head-on. "When I see fear it's like 'okay, let me go grab it by the horns.' Look at it in the eyes and I'm pushing forward because it's ...

37. Nasutsa Mabwa, Disaster Restoration CEO, on Getting Through Life’s Most Stressful Events

When life happens, it’s hard. Sometimes, many things happen at once and you have to have compassion for yourself and others during those moments. Nasutsa Mabwa, CEO of ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, is the person to call when the unexpected happens. Listen as she shares how some uncomfortable situations in her past prepared her for the work she does today. "I've learned over time that there's a lot of gray space we don't know. And so a lot of what we do is learning to fly in the fog."...

36. Vanessa Santos, Brand Strategist, on Finding Your Secret Sauce

"What’s your purpose in life?" is a huge question. In truth, many of us find that the purpose doesn't come until after the plan. For Vanessa Santos, discovering who you really are is the secret sauce to being purposeful. Listen as she shares her experience from upstart pen saleswoman to serial entrepreneur and finding purpose along the way. "Rules only last for a period of time, because the world is changing so much. And so, the only way there's going to be progress is by breaking the rules...

9. Thelma Haylock, Change Leader on Embracing Her Story

The process of becoming “enough” can be a long journey to finding yourself. Listen as Thelma Haylock shares her journey of accepting and embracing her differences to break the rules by bringing her full self to the table. This episode originally aired on May 1, 2020. —— Join our LinkedIn group! More from Rosa: LinkedIn More from Merary: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa: The Happy Cactus

19. Sabina Ewing, Tech Exec on Fitting into Your Own Shoes

Sabina Ewing is inspiring the next generation of Black women in STEM. After moving her family from China back to Pennsylvania, she talks to Rosa, Merary, and Alisa about the future of work and creating a legacy in her career. Now, more than ever is the time for women of color to embrace their identities and unleash their power within. This episode originally aired on August 6, 2020. —— Join our LinkedIn group! More from Rosa: LinkedIn More from Merary: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa:...

22. Leanne Robers, Tech Founder on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Imagine founding the world’s largest startup competition for women and technology and still feeling like an imposter. For Leanne Robers, understanding those feelings and learning to overcome them is part of her journey. Listen as she talks with Alisa and Merary about her secrets to opening doors and turning negative thoughts into positive empowerment. This episode originally aired on August 27, 2020. —— Join our LinkedIn group! More from Rosa: LinkedIn More from Merary: MerarySimeon.com...

35. Lucy Park, Trust & Estates Lawyer on Owning Your Career

Today we’re talking about making yourself visible in the workplace and proactively taking ownership of your career. Listen as Lucy Park shares how she broke the mold as a Korean woman in the United States by entering into the field of law, lessons she's learned along the way, and why she’s determined to share them with the next generation of women. "There is a difference in managing your career and just reacting. No one has control over your career but you and if you're not looking out for ...

Happy International Women's Day

Happy International Women’s Day! This week, we’re sharing some of our favorite new and old episodes with rule-breaking strategies on how multicultural women can own their careers and advance in the workplace. —— Join our LinkedIn group! More from Rosa: LinkedIn More from Merary: MerarySimeon.com More from Alisa: The Happy Cactus

34. Dr. Cynthia L. Hannah and Dr. Valerie Ward on The Impact of Mentorship

Continuing our celebration of Black History Month, we honor Black educators making a difference in the school system. Listen as Dr. Cynthia L. Hannah, an elementary school principal in Miami-Dade, the largest school district in Florida and the fourth largest in the United States, shares the many lessons she has learned from her incredible mentor, Dr. Valerie Ward. "Make yourself teachable. It doesn't matter what position you're in, there is still something you can learn. There is never a mo...

33. Chloe Arnold, Emmy-Nominated Choreographer on How Small Acts Can Shape the Future

For Black History Month, we're highlighting an artist and two educators, beginning with Chloe Arnold, Emmy-nominated choreographer, tap dancer, founder of the hit female tap sensation Syncopated Ladies. Listen as Chloe shares why she went against the world's expectations to embrace her own possibilities, create her own spaces, and how she is passing that knowledge onto others. "There's so much noise and you have to find the quiet and the love and the joy. And so that no matter what happens ...

32. 5 Reflections to Move You Forward

2020 has been a wild ride. As much as we'd all like to forget it, reflecting on the past is essential to planning our future. Listen as Alisa, Rosa, and Merary wrap the year with 5 questions meant to put things into perspective. Here's to moving forward! Questions in this episode: What happened in 2020 that you want to celebrate? When did you have the most fun? What do you simply need to stop doing in order for tomorrow to be better than yesterday? What would you like to create more of?...

31. Nadia De Ala, Negotiation Coach on Charging Your Worth

Have you ever felt that being a woman of color has prevented you from getting paid what you're worth? That feeling is exactly why leadership and negotiation coach, Nadia De Ala, has made it her life's mission to get women of color hella rich. Listen as she shares her story and three things she's learned about how to charge your worth. "You're somebody else's glass ceiling. Break yours accordingly so that someone else can enter and reach another level after you." – Nadia De Ala, Negotiation ...

30. Patty Castellon, Television Producer on Adapting to Succeed

Have you ever stayed at a job when you really wanted to leave? How do you know when it's time to go versus when you should just put your head down and persevere? Multiple Emmy Award-winning producer, Patty Serrato-Castellon, shares what she's learned from her 14 years in entertainment about staying resilient when the going gets tough. "I had to really work hard and I had to adapt to how my executives wanted things to be done. What we're doing works for a reason. But make it work for you and...

29. Friendship: Should You Stay or Should You Go? (feat. Dr. Marisa G. Franco)

Have you ever had to break up with a friend? How do you know when it's time to let them go? Or what if it's not time but you're not sure how to have a conversation to find out? This week, Alisa, Rosa, and Merary go deep into their own theories about what healthy friendship looks like and what to do when you're ready to say goodbye. "As human beings, if we've invested a lot of time into something, we're more likely to want to continue the relationship. Just because we've invested a lot, we ...

28. Dr. Marisa G. Franco, Friendship Expert on the Power of Platonic Love

Did you know there's actual research that indicates that most people like you more than you think they do? Well, Dr. Marisa G. Franco knows it, which is why she's writing a book all about how to make friends as an adult. Listen as Alisa and Merary discuss what real friendship looks like in their professional and personal lives. "There's a point at which the desire to protect yourself becomes a harm. When you're rejecting people before they reject you and you're not experiencing the feelings...

27. Gloria Diaz, Chemistry PhD Student on Helping Latinas Shine

When Gloria Diaz was wrapping up her undergraduate studies, she had no idea that her adventures in higher education were far from over. Listen as she shares why entering her PhD program was a leap of faith and how she's learned to lift her fellow Latina up along the way. “If I've seen further than anyone else, it's because I'm standing on the shoulders of women that came before me. I know I'm not going to be at the top forever and I'm happy to be the support system for another woman at th...

26. Dr. Shreya Soni, Endometriosis Expert on Advocating for Your Health

Dr. Shreya Soni knows the power of listening to your body and advocates for better health by encouraging women to ask more of their doctors. Listen as she shares with Alisa, Rosa, and Merary about the importance of preventative healthcare and supporting ourselves all the time. “You have to know that you're worth it and you deserve better treatment. Challenge your healthcare system, challenge your medical providers, and know that your doctors work for you.” – Dr. Shreya Soni, ND Topics disc...

25. Can Women Have It All?

On the road to an amazing career and a fulfilling life, at what point are you ready to slow down and start a family? And where's the rule that says you even have to slow down at all? This week, Alisa, Rosa, and Merary reflect on the wisdom of past guests and discuss the age-old question, can women have it all?

24. Myrna Castrejón, Education Equity Advocate on Earning Your Joy

In her life as an advocate for education equity, Myrna Castrejón knows that in order to be truly happy, you can't avoid the pain that often accompanies growth. But through hardship, we earn a lasting joy. For her, that joy is rooted in service. Listen as Rosa and Alisa discuss what they learned from chatting with Myrna about what real happiness looks like.

23. Carolynn Johnson, Diversity Champion on Owning Your Power

Carolynn Johnson still recalls the exact moment she was done being the model employee and started owning her power. As CEO of DiversityInc, she now owns it daily by choosing to be an ally to the communities she serves. Listen as Rosa and Alisa reflect on Carolynn's lessons about the power of relationships and how to own that power for good.

21. From Difficult to Meaningful: How to Reframe Your Conversations

In one of our recent episodes, Alisa, Rosa, and Merary touched briefly on the idea of reframing conversations from being difficult to being meaningful. But what does that really mean and how do you make a habit of it? We’re living in unprecedented times and with so many essential conversations happening every day, now is the time to start.

20. Samira Saffarzadeh, D&I Champion on Taking a Stand for Humanity

Told by her Iranian grandmother that girls shouldn’t play outside, Samira Saffarzadeh grew up always trying to be one of the guys. Now, as Supervisor of Capital Delivery Systems at Pacific Gas & Electric, she’s creating a culture that values representation and support for people in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. Listen to her talk to Rosa, Merary & Alisa about her journey to embrace her identity as an Iranian-American woman.

18. Edna Diez, Transformation Leader on Taking Risks

Edna Diez is a recognized change leader at the World Bank Group. Her “why not” approach to risk-taking brings back memories to the Color Forward team of their own risky adventures and inspires them to live a life of no regret and learn from past mistakes.

17. JuE Wong, Beauty Industry Exec on The Power of Knowing What You Want

JuE is a 5x CEO with experience and exposure in four continents and seven countries. Her path is anything but traditional, yet everything about being intentional. Currently the CEO of Olaplex, JuE talks to Rosa, Merary and Alisa about outsmarting cultural stereotypes, the shifting tide of work/life balance, and staying focused on your goals.

16. Adrienne Trimble, Global Diversity Leader on Owning Your Place at the Table

This season is all about The Future of Work. We’ve interviewed CEOs and senior leaders to learn how they’re shaping the future, starting with Adrienne Trimble, President & CEO National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

15. Amplifying Women of Color Voices

In this tumultuous time of the Coronavirus still spreading throughout the country and civil unrest, now is the time to amplify the voices of women of color and continue to tell their stories of overcoming cultural barriers and pioneering new realities! Listen to Gaby Natale, Alma Del Toro and Dr. Edie Coleman Chears in this special episode.

Season 2 Finale: Amplifying Women of Color Voices

In this tumultuous time of the Coronavirus still spreading throughout the country and civil unrest, now is the time to amplify the voices of women of color and continue to tell their stories of overcoming cultural barriers and pioneering new realities! Listen to Gaby Natale, Alma Del Toro and Dr. Edie Coleman Chears in this special episode.

14. Reesheda Graham Washington, Justice Fighter!

Bonus Episode: Reesheda Graham Washington, Justice Fighter!

In this special episode recorded at L!VE café in Oak Park, Illinois in 2019, Rosa gets in depth with Reesheda on where she came from, how she sees herself, and what cultural agility means to her. If you were impressed with Reesheda in our previous interview with her, consider this our bonus track to the Color Forward collection. Learn how she uses curiosity and wonder to create her own narrative. For more information about Reesheda, visit https://rgwashington.com/. Her café and crea...

13. Shonna Dorsey, Tech Advocate on Being Fearless

Being a woman of color in tech isn’t so much about the label; Shonna Dorsey tells us it’s really about embracing who you are as an individual. And as an individual, she likes to take risks and tackle challenges, unafraid of failure.

Season 2, Ep 8. Shonna Dorsey, Tech Advocate on Being Fearless

Being a woman of color in tech isn’t so much about the label; Shonna Dorsey tells us it’s really about embracing who you are as an individual. And as an individual, she likes to take risks and tackle challenges, unafraid of failure.

12. Zoe Dowling, Ph.D., Cultural Commentator on Planting Seeds for Growth

With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a career in market research, Zoe Dowling brings a multicultural perspective on adapting to change and being patient with ourselves and others in our journeys of growth.

Season 2, Ep 7. Zoe Dowling, Ph.D., Cultural Commentator on Planting Seeds for Growth

With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a career in market research, Zoe Dowling brings a multicultural perspective on adapting to change and being patient with ourselves and others in our journeys of growth.

11. Susan Baltierra, Surgical Nurse on Shooting for the Moon

Nurses on the front lines aren’t just our heroes during this COVID-19 crisis; they’re our heroes every day. Listen to Susan’s incredible story of overcoming many obstacles in her journey and how the hospital system has been affected in this season.

Season 2, Ep 6. Susan Baltierra, Surgical Nurse on Shooting for the Moon

Nurses on the front lines aren’t just our heroes during this COVID-19 crisis; they’re our heroes every day. Listen to Susan’s incredible story of overcoming many obstacles in her journey and how the hospital system has been affected in this season.

10. Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz, Dream Catcher on Micro-Moments

This Latina sports airplane pilot is on a mission to impact others around the world, all while focusing on the micro-moments that remind us how much staying positive can make a difference.

Season 2, Ep 5. Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz, Dream Catcher on Micro-Moments

This Latina sports airplane pilot is on a mission to impact others around the world, all while focusing on the micro-moments that remind us how much staying positive can make a difference.

Season 2, Ep 4. Thelma Haylock, Change Leader on Embracing Her Story

The process of becoming “enough” can be a long journey to finding yourself. Listen to Thelma Haylock share her journey of accepting and embracing her differences to break the rules by bringing her full self to the table.

8. Reesheda Graham Washington, Social Entrepreneur on Redefining Achievement

As women of color, we’re often told we have to do something 120% in order to show up. Says who? And why? In today’s episode, Reesheda gives us a new way to lead, achieve, and do things, even when we’re afraid.

Season 2, Ep 3. Reesheda Graham Washington, Social Entrepreneur on Redefining Achievement

As women of color, we’re often told we have to do something 120% in order to show up. Says who? And why? In today’s episode, Reesheda gives us a new way to lead, achieve, and do things, even when we’re afraid.

7. Claudia Romo Edelman, Visionary on Uniting Hispanics During COVID-19

Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder of We Are All Human, shares how COVID-19 is personally affecting her family, while also discussing The Hispanic Star Response & Recovery Plan.

Season 2, Ep 2. Claudia Romo Edelman, Visionary on Uniting Hispanics During COVID-19

Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder of We Are All Human, shares how COVID-19 is personally affecting her family, while also discussing The Hispanic Star Response & Recovery Plan.