Crazy and The King Podcast artwork

Crazy and The King Podcast

185 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 26 ratings

Julie Sowash and Torin Ellis are serious about destroying the lame, losing and punitive Diversity and Inclusion narrative. A weekly podcast of talking truth, exploring the uncomfortable, and often ignored. Chasing solution and never hiding from behind lip service. They won’t always get it right, but they will always bring it real. Grab a latte and rock with Crazy and the King - ya heard! #crazyandtheking
More on Torin and Julie:
Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesowashdisabilitysolutions
Torin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torinellis

Management Business
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Episodes

The CATK Interview: Zach Nunn

December 29, 2022 13:47 - 45 minutes

Join Julie and Torin in welcoming the host of Living Corporate, Zach Nunn. 

Happy Holidays from Crazy and the King!

December 22, 2022 10:38 - 30 minutes

 A fun episode celebrating friends, family, and our favorites!

The CATK Interview: Shaara Roman

December 15, 2022 15:21 - 35 minutes

Award-winning entrepreneur, author, and experienced chief human resources officer Shaara Roman is an expert on the role of company culture in driving employee and business success. She has held leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies and spent years advising companies on creating successful strategies for organizational design, values alignment in hiring and leadership, eliminating toxic stressors in the workplace, and fostering engaged and productive teams. In her new book, The Conscio...

The CATK Interview: Buffer Springs' Founder Rob Arndt

December 08, 2022 12:37 - 33 minutes

Join Torin and Julie in welcoming Buffer Springs' Founder and CEO, Rob Arndt to Crazy and the King. Rob Arndt, United States Marine veteran, Founder and CEO brings his no bullshit approach to veteran hiring and engagement to Crazy and the King. An interview not to be missed. Learn more about Buffer Springs: https://www.buffersprings.com/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robarndt1

The CATK Interview: Nikki Lanier

December 01, 2022 12:35 - 41 minutes

Join Torin and Julie in welcoming powerhouse Nikki Lanier to CATK Nikki’s experience includes serving as senior vice president –Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Personnel Cabinet Secretary for the Commonwealth of Kentucky (youngest and first black female gubernatorial appointee to this post), Chief Human Resources Officer for Charter Schools USA (FL), Vice Chancellor of Human Resources for Maricopa Community Colleges (AZ), Senior HR Executive, Philip Morris USA (VA) and Georgia-Pacific Corp...

The CATK Interview: Dr. Andrew Whitehead on Christian Nationalism

November 24, 2022 15:59 - 59 minutes

Join Torin and Julie in welcoming Dr. Andrew Whitehead, one of the foremost experts on Christian Nationalism. As Americans head to the Thanksgiving table and we all head into the holiday season, we discuss the dissection of Christianity and White Nationalism as an expression of Christianity. Dr. Whitehead helps us re-center and takes the tone down for a lot of us without failing to call to and recognize the dangers of this ideology.

Fixed: Why Does Racism Still Exist?

November 20, 2022 11:33 - 50 minutes

We had a technical issue on our upload this week - we are sharing a corrected version with our apologies. Join Julie and Torin to discuss the existential question we all ponder. Tell us your thoughts on our Crazy and the King Facebook, Instagram or on Twitter #CATK.

5G Towers, Kyrie's Anti-Semitism, Home Depot Unions

November 10, 2022 12:12 - 42 minutes

Torin and Julie are back this week with 5G towers taking over NYC, a conversation about anti-Semitism, Kyrie Irving and other Black celebrities in hot water over controversial decisions. Plus, Mastodon, are you in?

Twitter's New Twit, DEI MBA, and Penn State Falls Back

November 03, 2022 10:07 - 48 minutes

This week, Julie and Torin are back together again and they have plenty to catch up on. Elon Musk becomes the Twitter's Chief and all hell is poised to break loose. Does it matter? Julie thinks so. Wharton School of Management is now offering an MBA with a DEI concentration while Penn State "discovers" they are not as committed to their 2020 Racial Justice commitment as they thought in 2022.

CATK NDEAM TAKEOVER: Disability Solutions' Amanda Burris

October 27, 2022 09:47 - 53 minutes

In our final CATK NDEAM Takeover, Torin is joined by Amanda Burris, Director of Sales at Disability Solutions. As Amanda put it in a post recording message to Julie, "Torin got real. Or shall I say got me to get real real." - A skill we all know the King to have. What did you think of the CATK NDEAM Takeover? Email us, tell us on social, send us a carrier pigeon...whatever it takes. We want to hear from you!

CATK NDEAM TAKEOVER: Theo Smith and Amanda Kirby

October 20, 2022 11:39 - 47 minutes

This week it is all about neurodiversity! Theo Smith, once upon a time a professional actor, then a leading expert in the field of recruitment. He now uses his thespian skills to entertain his daughter and son and to inspire organisations and the world to the idea that neurodiversity is the future of work and beyond. Amanda Kirby is the founder and CEO of Do-IT Solutions, a tech for good company that provides tools, training and consultancy in the area of neurodiversity and wellbeing. She has...

CATK NDEAM TAKEOVER: Ciji Gardner

October 13, 2022 10:08 - 48 minutes

CATK NDEAM Disability Takeover continues with Talent Acquisition Leader, Client Services Director at Cielo Talent, Ciji Gardner, sits co-host with Torin this week. Ciji has over 10 years of experience leading teams of managers, recruiters, sourcers, and recruitment coordinators (US and Global based) to meet and exceed TA strategic goals. She is experienced in diversity recruitment, client advisory, and change management and wait for it......she is also a person with a disability! Join Torin ...

CATK NDEAM TAKEOVER: Dr. Yvette Pegues

October 06, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes

This week, Dr. Yvette Pegues, Executive at Your Invisible DisAbility Group, jumps in as the FIRST CATK NDEAM Disability Takeover. She brings her story, expertise and a couple of special guests to this first of its kind CATK Takeover! A special take on Crazy and the King this week and all month!

The CATK Interview: Untapped Co-CEO Tariq Meyers

September 29, 2022 06:00 - 53 minutes

Prior to founding Untapped, Tariq spent most of his career exploring ways to close the opportunity gap for untapped talent. The first Head of Diversity & Inclusion for both Lyft and Coinbase, Tariq continues to be motivated by his mission to enable companies to realize their full inclusion potential through technology solutions. Named The Root 100: Most Influential African Americans and a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, to his core, Tariq believes that people should not be defined by their life...

Twilio, Patagonia, and Reddit Overemployment

September 22, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes

Would you, COULD you, work 2, 3, even 4 full-time jobs? Is it is ethical? Does it matter? We dive into Reddit's Overemployment (OE) thread with more than 80,000 posts. Then Twilio and Patagonia CEO's take active stances on racial, social and environmental justice. Can big business meet systemic and social change? Only time will tell.

Delta Closes the Gap, Leadership is Hard, and Anti-Racism Yay or Nay

September 15, 2022 15:24 - 48 minutes

This week on CATK: Delta's diversity transparency report is out and we ask are they "closing the gap." We discuss the challenges of giving hard feedback to our teams and the many mistakes we have made as a people leaders. HR Executive puts out news on increase in late stage cancer diagnoses and we discuss how HR needs to prepare for the before, during and after to support employees with cancer. Finally, do you use the term anti-racism? Do these terms matter or do we get lost in our over use o...

Women Execs, The "C" word and ROBOTS

September 08, 2022 06:00 - 52 minutes

Kicking off fall, Julie and Torin jump into the deep end. Women ascend to the executive ranks at Fortune 100 companies faster than their male peers, new research from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School finds. Though women still make up just a fraction of these leadership positions—27% in 2021—they were promoted to these roles 3.5 years faster than men in 2001, with the gap narrowing to 1.5 years last year. Helpful or harmful? - Career choices. Women who delay motherhood or forgo ...

The CATK Interview: Sackett The Second Time Around

September 01, 2022 06:00 - 50 minutes

The last of our Summer Interview Series with the Man, the Master, the Tim Sackett. In his second visit to CATK, Tim helps Julie and Torin round out the CATK Summer Interview Series with a frank conversation on the state of DEIB in Talent Acquisition. How do we stop othering "diversity recruiting"? Have we lost our DEIB intensity in this post(ish) pandemic world? The WSJ CEO tells career seekers to get their asses back to the office or enjoy a good work life balance with remote job. Ummmmm.......

The CATK Interview: Stacy Bernal

August 25, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes

Stacy Bernal (she/her/hers) is a TEDx speaker, author, and DEI trainer at See Stacy Speak LLC. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Weber State University with a BA in Communication and earned a certificate for Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She is the Chair of the Ogden Diversity Commission, as well as the founder of Awesome Autistic Ogden, and the Bernal Badassery Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit.  Stacy is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to live their...

The CATK Interview: Chris DeSantis

August 18, 2022 19:31 - 46 minutes

Orwell wryly noted, “Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it and wiser than one that comes after it.” Differences of any kind—whether they be race, religion, gender identity, point of view, or values—can make us or, if we let them, just as easily break us. Regardless of our generational identities, we all benefit from understanding where others come from and what they need to get their jobs done well. With wit and keen insight, organizational be...

The CATK Interview: Dr. Jennifer Fraser

August 11, 2022 06:00 - 49 minutes

The CATK Summer Interview Series Continues with Dr. Jennifer Fraser and the Bullied Brain. Dr. Jennifer Fraser, best-selling author and award-winning educator, has a PhD in Comparative Literature. Her online courses and workshops provide dynamic lessons in the impact neuroscience has on personal development and culture change. Her previous book, Teaching Bullies: Zero Tolerance on the Court or in the Classroom (Motion Press, Aug. 8, 2015), explores what happens when the bully is a teacher or ...

The CATK Interview: Judy Julius

August 04, 2022 06:00 - 53 minutes

Fresh off her appearance at NILG 2022, Join Julie and Torin in welcoming Judy Julius to the show! Ever wonder why Affirmative Action should matter to your DEIB program and goals, Judy Julius helps CATK listeners understand the undervalued yet incredibly powerful relationship between corporate DEIB leaders and the fearsome (yet, mostly loveable) legal department.

Are Performance Reviews Ever Really Transparent?

July 28, 2022 06:00 - 40 minutes

In our last show before our Summer Interview Series takes over in August, Torin and Julie catch up all things summer. Conferences as get aways - from our kids, our spouses, our bosses?? Yeah, sounds like the normal life of a conference goer. How do you feel about self-nominating? Do you deserve an award if you have to nominate yourself? Discuss. And finally, Amazon employees leak performance review criteria claiming lack of transparency. Sounds about normal to us. Because let's be honest, are...

Edelman Trust Broken?

July 21, 2022 17:51 - 50 minutes

Does the Saudi and Edelman PR venture undo some of the trust Edelman has built over the years? Julie has big news to share as BMS announces a major initiative to increase access to clinical trials for people with disabilities. Plus, sweatshops and fast fashion and so much more on this week's Crazy and the King!

The CATK Interview: Ray Arata

July 14, 2022 07:30 - 53 minutes

We Need Better Men. Torin and Julie Welcome Author, Founder, Coach and Ally Ray Arata. Ray Arata is a thought leader, sought-after speaker, and author who teaches important techniques that allow individuals and organizations to be more heart-centered, inclusive and effective. Ray Arata is the author of two books, Wake Up Man Up, Step Up: Transforming Your Wake Up Call to Emotional Health and Happiness and Showing Up: How Men Can Become Effective Allies in the Workplace. As an expert in leader...

Live from Londomore

July 07, 2022 07:37 - 41 minutes

Julie and Torin kick off RecFest week with a catch up on all this week's hot topics

Dobbs: Second Class Citizens Once AGAIN

June 30, 2022 12:14 - 53 minutes

For years, Julie refused to watch the Handmaid's Tale. Why? She knew this day was coming. Join Julie and Torin for a candid look at how the overturning of Roe v Wade late last week has broken the hearts of women around the world. The realization of being once again second class citizens is hitting hard and it is hitting repeatedly. Yet, this is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning.

The CATK Interview: SeekOut Co-Founder and CEO Anoop Gupta

June 23, 2022 16:34 - 47 minutes

Julie and Torin welcome Anoop Gupta to talk start-ups, Microsoft, "Academic types" and how we use data to successfully drive incredible, underrepresented talent into our organizations, and Julie throws in a challenge to wrap us up. Anoop Gupta is the CEO and Co-Founder of SeekOut, the AI-powered Talent 360 platform. Anoop started SeekOut after a 20-year career at Microsoft, which began with the acquisition of his first startup, VXtreme, in 1997. During his tenure, Anoop was the Corporate Vi...

GRRRRLS. Lizzo For The Win!

June 16, 2022 06:00 - 37 minutes

Julie loves Lizzo. Now more than ever. The Washington Post tells employees, "You never speak outside the family." Burger King in Austria celebrates PRIDE with two tops and two bottoms.....yeah, you read that right! Don't miss Her Voice and new this week #DisabilityTwitter.

Villain or Victor?? Leaning in to Sheryl Sandberg

June 09, 2022 12:22 - 48 minutes

How will history remember Sheryl Sandberg and her 14 years at Facebook? Is she power boss woman we all wanted to be after Lean In or is she the Villain in our history? Do we hold women of power to greater fault than their male peers? Also, the Future Forum Pulse Survey shows continued anxiety and discontent as employers force feed workers rigid return to office policies while executives continue to enjoy full flexibility. We don't want to return to normal. Its time to listen to the worker.

Bridgerton, EEOC and DOJ, and Gun Discrimination

June 02, 2022 06:00 - 48 minutes

This week, Bridgerton's Ruby Barker gets help for her mental illness and comes out the other side. The EEOC and DOJ give guidance on AI, talent acquisition technology and impact on jobseekers with a disability. Texas legislates anti-gun discrimination while California loses board diversity in the judiciary. Can we spend a little time legislating what matters vs what makes politicians richer?

Actions Speak Louder: Deanna Singh

May 26, 2022 15:35 - 43 minutes

Actions Speak Louder: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming an Inclusive Workplace. Deanna's mission is a crucial one: getting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into the mainstream and practiced worldwide.  Meaningful change cannot happen without awareness and education, but not alone.  Join us today for an AMAZING CATK Interview.

Netflix: Is Honesty Really the Best Policy?

May 19, 2022 06:00 - 55 minutes

This week, Netflix updates their culture guidelines and says maybe we aren't a good fit for you. Is honesty the best policy in talent attraction, even when it is uncomfy? Jeep plant in Michigan is making electric vehicles while pumping more pollutants into one of the most polluted areas of the country. Torin and Julie start the CATK conversation on environmental racism. Finally, friend of the pod and master of all things recruiting, Tim Sackett, gives us his take on diversity referral bonuses...

Culture: What's a CEO to do?

May 12, 2022 06:35 - 42 minutes

Julie and Torin explore the complexities of the clash of corporate and societal culture and asks what do we expect of our leaders. Is silence acceptable? Where is the line between political and moral? And what are the consequences for both? We take guidance from current CEOs and, of course, share our own. Plus catch up on this week's quick takes and don't miss this episode's Name Drop.

SCOTUS Takes Us Back to 1970

May 05, 2022 10:13 - 47 minutes

An unprecedented leak from SCOTUS, prepares us for the overturning of Roe and Casey encompassing 50 years of women's rights to safe and legal abortions, contraception, and other reproductive services. In the same week, SCOTUS rules emotional damages are not included in a federal contractor's non-discrimination obligations. Torin says its a limited case, Julie says an open window allows the devil in the house. What's next? Affirmative Action and Gay Marriage are in the Right's sights. This and...

Mackenzie Fierceton: Institutional Empathy or Elite Elitism

April 28, 2022 10:23 - 50 minutes

Who decides someone is worthy of empathy? Do the white elite believe they are the only ones to decide? Mackenzie Fierceton, college student and foster kid, tests the bounds of white elite empathy. Why do we create gradations of suffering? Is suffering less than the most invalid? Let's dive right in on this week's Crazy and the King!

Pregnant Inmates at NJ Edna Mahan Prison

April 21, 2022 06:00 - 47 minutes

Two women incarcerated at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility — the state’s only female prison — have become pregnant after having sex with a pre-operative transgender woman who is also an inmate.  The revelation presents a thorny problem for state corrections officials, who have been grappling with the sexual abuse and exploitation of inmates by staff at the prison for the past decade.

Kentucky "Jer" From Planet Fitness

April 14, 2022 06:00 - 42 minutes

Julie and Torin take a light hearted attitude this week with some workplaces fails that will make you laugh....and cringe. Plus, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) catches up, half way, on gender identity and Biden makes a big nomination to fill an open commissioner role.

History Isn't as Long Ago as We Believe

April 07, 2022 08:30 - 49 minutes

Julie and Torin share some pet peeves. Torin has A LOT of pet peeves. Then they dive into the news of the week and share the story of Ota Benga as a reminder, history isn't as far behind as we would like to believe.

Shined Bright Like a Diamond

March 31, 2022 06:00 - 58 minutes

Julie and Torin wrap International Women's Month with a women who shine. Memphis Airport gives in to racism and homophobic slurs by removing Asian Elvis artwork celebrating diverse Memphis art community. What role does philanthropy have in moving the world toward racial justice and prison reform?

Could Companies Have Prevented the Great Resignation?

March 24, 2022 10:16 - 41 minutes

This week, so much to dive into with Torin and Julie. First, could universally designed work places (and policies) have prevented or stemmed the Great Resignation? Mason, TN is being threatened publicly by the state's Comptroller. Is it greed or political disenfranchisement? Or both? Jane Campion, puts her foot in it, in her moment in the spot light. A good lesson how to be a better ally and not muck it up.

Kingsman Come to Save the Day.

March 17, 2022 07:23 - 47 minutes

Torin is back on stage and feeling ALRIGHT. This week, Harvard Business Review lays out how to manage a polarized workforce and conquers the 3 myths about disagreements. Are we seeing the come back of the nap....at the office? Finally, Julie and Torin dive into how the World Institute on Disability, the Kingsman and friend of the pod, Tinamarie Duff, are rescuing Ukrainians with disabilities from war zones and we ask, why are people with disabilities always left behind? Donate to the Kingsma...

Missing the Crazy....

March 10, 2022 19:08 - 50 minutes

Episode is missing the fearless leader - wishing Julie safe travels. The King discusses news of the week, other news of the week and a riveting conversation between John Graham, author of Plantation Theory and Dr. Joy Degruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (revised in 2017). The big question within — are you gouging or shaping internal culture? Have a listen.  

Ukraine, Adzuna, and Women in Leadership Transform Gender Stereotypes.

March 03, 2022 16:28 - 44 minutes

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is prompting strong reaction from the business community, including TA programmatic provider Adzuna. Tesla and Elon Musk do something very right and we give them some props. Finally, a new study shows the power of language and women who transform organizations, transform cultures and shatter gender stereotypes.

Baltimore Sun Comes Clean and Use Alt Text and Win

February 24, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes

Julie and Torin note the potentially historical Russian invasion of Ukraine beginning this week and implore listeners to think about the impact of underrepresented and historically targeted communities who have been safe in Ukraine and very NOT safe in Russia. Then the New York Times helps us understand the importance of alt text in images online - Julie takes it a step farther - when we use alt text we all win. Finally, in our main story, the Baltimore Sun publishes what Julie and Torin fe...

The CATK Interview: Andre Blackman

February 17, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes

André is the Founder and CEO of Onboard Health, a specialized executive search and advisory firm focused on creating a more inclusive future of health. A pioneering strategist with deep ties across the healthcare innovation, startup and digital strategy landscapes — André is dedicated to building the future of health through an equity lens. His work and insights have been featured in outlets such as Business Insider, Fortune, Forbes, NPR, CIO, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report. He was rece...

When is Enough Enough?

February 10, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes

Julie and Torin dive right into the news of the day. Will the Senate act on creating pregnancy protections for expectant employees? Nancy Pelosi dodges reporters questions on Dear White Staffers Instagram tea and Tesla is back in court for firing and then REHIRING a worker who assaulted and spewed racial slurs at a Black supervisor. In our in depth story, we jump in to the death of Amir Locke at the hands of Minneapolis PD on yet another unnecessary no knock warrant. Brian Flores makes it kno...

Anti-Semitism, Mercedes Johnson and SCOTUS Affirmative Action

February 03, 2022 07:00 - 48 minutes

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the Western World, Mercedes Johnson gets DRAGGED and White Men want to continue to receive their historical affirmative action when it comes to SCOTUS seats. An Atlanta family opens the first fully autonomous Black owned grocery store in the world. We welcome a new sponsor this week....and check out that new logo!

Edelman Trust 2022, Larry Miller and Disingenuous Legislators

January 27, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes

Torin and Julie jump into the Edelman Trust Barometer 2022, Nike's Larry Fink comes clean and Disingenuous legislators do more damage than they are likely to be able to control.

Stakeholder Capitalism, Tuskegee Airmen Farewell and CDC Responds

January 20, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes

Is stakeholder capitalism the same as capitalism? Larry Fink, CEO of Black Rock, says YES in this year's letter to CEOs. The CDC rallies, admits the mistake and vows to be more inclusive - Isn't this the way it should always work? And a homecoming send off to the last Tuskegee Airmen, Charles McGhee. Rest in Power, sir.

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