Charles Gibson is the Chief Engagement and Belonging Officer at Randolph College. He visits the Inclusion Catalyst to talk about fostering a culture of belongingness and home for Randolph Students. Key Takeaways

• Engagement and belonging work aims to make everyone feel at home on campus, focusing on authentic self-expression and learning from differences
• Private colleges have more latitude in DEI efforts compared to public institutions facing political pressures
• Religious/spiritual life on campus requires careful policy development to balance inclusivity with religious freedom
• Assessment, active listening, and adaptability are crucial for effective DEI and interfaith initiatives.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Nadia Mian is the Senior Program Director at the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement at Rutgers University. She visits the Inclusion Catalyst to discuss a very innovative faith-based housing initiative. Key Takeaways

• Dr. Mian is leading research on faith-based affordable housing, including a database of congregational housing projects across the U.S.
• California's SB4 legislation allows houses of worship to bypass local zoning laws for affordable housing development, setting a potential model for other states.
• Faith-based organizations are repurposing underutilized assets like parking lots for affordable housing and community services.
• Internal congregational discussions and community engagement are crucial first steps before pursuing development projects.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Theresa Lau, Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center, visits with Mickey again to discuss the proposed federal budget cuts and their potential impacts on social programs and states.

• The budget bill passed by the House contains massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, while making deep cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help low-income families.
• The SNAP (food stamps) program would see $300 billion in cuts over 10 years, leading to 4.6 million people losing benefits. States would be forced to pay 5-25% of SNAP costs, leading to harder decisions about who to cover.
• Medicaid would see nearly $1 trillion in cuts over 10 years, resulting in 13.7 million people losing health coverage. Work reporting requirements and frequent renewals would also make it harder for eligible people to access Medicaid.
• The bill also makes it harder for federal judges to hold government officials in contempt for ignoring court rulings, reducing accountability.
• There is still time to influence the Senate version of the bill and push for fewer harmful cuts. Theresa recommends calling/emailing Congress, sharing personal stories, and supporting advocacy organizations like SPLC to fight these provisions.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Theresa Lau is Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Theresa and Mickey discuss the proposed federal budget cuts and their potential impacts on social programs and states.

Key Takeaways

• Proposed budget includes hundreds of billions in cuts to critical human needs programs like Medicaid and SNAP
• Cuts aim to fund tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals
• Changes will disproportionately impact low-income families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups
• Public awareness and engagement is crucial to oppose these cuts and protect essential programs

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas visits the SnapCast. Dr. Fábregas is the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latina girls and their loved ones through education and emotional support. We talk about Texas State Bill-Seventeen, which is known informally as “the anti-DEI law,” shutting down diversity, equity and inclusion offices like university LGBTQ+ centers. Among the things we discuss:

• SB-17 is changing the nonprofit landscape, it's important to "SB-17 proof" your organization to continue doing the work
• Difficult decisions must be made when you lead a nonprofit and the important thing is looking at the big picture and moving towards the decision that will ensure sustainable growth
• Even during difficult times, the goal is to continue supporting all participants to the best of our ability
• How can an organization that's run for 20 years continue to run for the next two decades?

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Carla Kopp is a game Designer, Developer, and Publisher. Her company is Weird Giraffe Games. Mickey talks with Carla to scratch the surface of diversity and inclusion in the gaming and game development world. Carla believes the content of games can change the world. We discuss how to make the game development world more accessible to everyone, and what a safe-space means to the development process.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

[This episode was originally published as part of the Nonprofit SnapCast.] Christal M. Cherry is a nationally recognized nonprofit board consultant and certified leadership coach. She is the Principal and CEO of The Board Pro. We talk about Board Recruiting with an eye on Diversity and Equity. Changing beliefs, behaviors, and practices related to board service and leadership can be challenging, but with the right coaching and tailored training you can steer your organization toward a sustainable future and an equitable governance mindset.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Today on the show, guest host Josh Miller of Josh Miller Ventures and IDEAS xLab talks to Lori Frisher as part of his Uncovering Your Value series. Frisher is a leader, an advocate, an entrepreneur, an athlete, a two-time cancer survivor, and a public speaker who dares to dream beyond her present circumstances to discover what is possible. She was born with severe hearing loss and relies on two cochlear implants and lip-reading to communicate. Through her company Ready or Not Media!, Lori offerings immersive disability empathy trainings, keynotes and more. In this episode, Miller and Frisher discuss:

• How navigating the world with an invisible disability can lead to covering,
• Disability empathy and the importance of listening to and learning from people’s stories and experiences,
• The role experiential learning and immersive workshops play in expanding people’s understanding about accessibility,
• Working to make physical workplaces more accessible while recognizing the role that remote and hybrid jobs play in expanding access to employment for people with disabilities.

If you are interested in learning more about the topic of covering, delving into Miller’s Uncovering Your Value newsletter or getting in touch to share your story or about public speaking, visit ](http://www.joshmiller.ventures)[www.joshmiller.ventures or connect with him on LinkedIn! About Josh Miller: About: Josh Miller is a queer changemaker, public speaker, photographer, and outdoor explorer. He is the owner of Josh Miller Ventures and the co-founder + CEO of IDEAS xLab—an organization that uses the art of storytelling and community collaboration to impact public health. Miller’s work has been featured by The New York Times, the Aspen Institute, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is a Soros Equality Fellow, received the 2022 Nonprofit Visionary Leader Award from Louisville Business First, and was selected for Business Equality Magazine’s Forty LGBTQ+ Leaders under 40 and Louisville Business First's Forty under 40. Miller is a two-time TEDx speaker and has been described as a "force in our community.” He holds an MBA from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Bellarmine University. Previously, he served as an advisor to the Derby Diversity & Business Summit and co-chair for the Louisville Health advisory board’s communications committee. Support Inclusion Catalyst by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/inclusion-catalyst