Let’s face it: conversations about race make even the most fearless among us uneasy, awkward or just very nervous. In this episode of Fearless Diversity, Simon Fanshawe (Diversity Dissident) and Rachel Cashman (Fearless Facilitator) dive headlong into the silence, discomfort, and tiptoeing that surrounds race at work and in everyday life.

Prompted to record this episode by the publication of Baroness Casey's 'National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse' and the associated headlines -defensive and offensive - Simon and Rachel felt it was time to talk about race.

Ever found yourself tippexing out uncomfortable truths, dodging controversy, or simply holding back from fear of saying the unsayable? You’re not alone. Simon and Rachel unravel why so many of us, particularly well-intentioned liberals, get tied in knots over race. From performance management gone wrong to navigating everyday interactions loaded with uncertainty, they explore why good intentions too often lead to bad outcomes.

Expect honest reflections, laugh-out-loud insights, and some genuinely uncomfortable moments (yes, they’re going there). But above all, prepare for a much-needed call to courage because if we don’t fill the conversational vacuum, someone far less helpful certainly will.

Baroness Casey 'National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse':

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-audit-on-group-based-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse

Baroness Casey Newsnight Interview: https://youtu.be/_1u7-dXwhs0

People Management: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1919974/black-employees-disproportionately-subjected-worker-surveillance-report-finds

Ten Years of Snowy White Peaks, Workforce Race Equality in the NHS: https://bmjleader.bmj.com/content/9/2/178

Nazir Afzal Comment Piece in Observer: https://observer.co.uk/news/opinion-and-ideas/article/cowardice-and-inaction-left-children-to-be-abused

The Good Ally by Nova Reid: https://amzn.eu/d/1l72wVl

The Power of Difference – Simon Fanshawe (stereotypes pp 114-115)

https://shorturl.at/eiBgb

What Casey Did - The real report, not the one in the papers by David Aaronovitch

https://davidaaronovitch.substack.com/p/what-casey-did?utm_campaign=email-post&r=u6e8&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Simon Fanshawe, the Diversity Dissident, and Rachel Cashman, the Fearless Facilitator, as they boldly dive into one of everyone's least favourite topics: Failure! With wit, honesty, and plenty of personal anecdotes (Rachel fails daily, Simon hourly!), they tackle why failing isn't just inevitable, but essential for growth.

From Edison’s famous quip about discovering "10,000 ways not to do it," to dramatic real-world examples including nuclear reactors and Broadway producers, Simon and Rachel explore how embracing failure can become a powerful force for learning and innovation.

This episode unpacks practical questions leaders often wrestle with: How much failure is acceptable? What's our real tolerance for risk? And how can leaders build cultures where failure doesn't trigger shame, but instead sparks collective insight and adaptation?

Expect laughter, levity, and serious wisdom as Rachel and Simon reveal why "Failure Fridays" could become your organisation's most valuable weekly meeting—and how learning to pivot well can transform setbacks into breakthroughs.

Turn your failures into food for thought with Simon and Rachel, listen in and learn how falling flat on your face might just be the best thing you do all day!

For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready to tackle another hot topic with Simon and Rachel as they have the conversations you want to In this episode, they're diving deep into the question: What exactly do we mean by free speech, especially at work?

From academic freedom and artistic expression to controversial workplace debates and social media snafus, Rachel and Simon fearlessly (and humorously) navigate the delicate dance of speaking your mind without breaking the office etiquette. Simon boldly explores how free speech can quickly turn chaotic without clear boundaries, while Rachel brings her trademark clarity, unpacking the mechanics and dynamics behind workplace conduct, speech, and silence, she has talked before about measuring it and today she majors on leveraging it and lessons from a silent retreat!

Expect sharp wit, real-life scenarios (awkward comedy clubs, anyone?), and insightful tips as they tackle whether expressing your "authentic self" at work is a freedom or a potential landmine. With stories ranging from protest encampments to inappropriate office outfits, Simon and Rachel offer practical wisdom and plenty of laughs on managing tricky conversations, setting boundaries, and embracing the essential art of disagreeing well.

Join Simon and Rachel as they redefine free speech at work where sometimes the bravest thing you can say is nothing at all!

For more about Rachel: Who Is The Fearless Facilitator? - Fearless Facilitator

For more about Simon: Who We Are – Diversity by Design

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.