The Equity Gap

Shahzia Noorally

Uncovering inequity. Empowering change. Hosted by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioner Shahzia Noorally, The Equity Gap is where straight talk conversations meet transformative action. Through candid interviews with leading experts and thought-provoking solo episodes, Shahzia explores the real-world impact of systemic inequity through centering the lived experiences of equity-deserving people and challenging power structures across workplaces and beyond. From race and gender to neurodiversity and anti-fat bias, each episode tackles hard truths and invites listeners to reimagine what equity really means - on personal, organizational, and societal levels. Whether you're a DEI professional, a leader ready to use your privilege for good, or someone seeking to deepen your social consciousness, The Equity Gap will educate, unsettle, and inspire. Join the conversation. Close the gap. Host note: In the spirit of not being a slave to productivity and capitalistic systems that push us to produce to the point of exhaustion, this podcast is not updated regularly but rather only when I'm inspired, rested and when I feel I have something meaningful to contribute. Enjoy! - Shahzia Noorally 

  1. 1d ago

    Continuing to hold space for hope and heartbreak: How rest, joy and community can keep us a float

    Welcome. I'm so glad you're here and I'm so glad to be back talking about the most important things on my heart.  In our last episode we started by exploring how to stay awake in a world that desperately wants us to tune out. A world controlled by a global elite that thrive on our exhaustion and overwhelm when we're too tired and too worn down to collectively push back. And yet here we are continuing to hold that tension between hope and horror as we're still watching fascism unfold in real time, escalating every day in its brashness and its cruelty, and very much testing our capacity to stay awake  I believe wholeheartedly that big paradigm shifts don’t happen overnight or with only one, single moment in time. They happen when we choose small acts of resistance, carried by many, many people of all walks of life and privilege. And so this episode is about helping you move through this time in the world with care and intention. We’ll explore what it means to really embrace rest without guilt, to lean into community and to seek joy as some of our most effective ways to resist and continue to hold space for both hope and heartbreak.  Referenced in this episode: Tricia Hersey - Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto  Licensed intro music from NoMo

    36 min

  2. 2025-06-11

    Holding space for hope and heartbreak: how do we stay awake in a world that wants us to go numb?

    We’re watching fascism unfold in real time. The worst part? We're told to stay neutral. To debate both sides. I’m done compartmentalizing my humanity. This new episode asks: how do we stay awake in a world that wants us to go numb? How do we resist the grind, the gaslighting, the urge to look away — and still choose joy, rest, and each other? A new podcast series begins now. For those holding both hope and heartbreak. Referenced in the episode: Jonathan Dent – Astrologer https://www.jonathanldent.com/ Naomi Klein - The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism https://www.ted.com/talks/naomi_klein_how_shocking_events_can_spark_positive_change?language=en Licensed intro music from NoMo

    30 min

  3. 2024-07-09

    Dismantling your anti-fat bias with Vinny Welsby, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author

    Vinny Welsby (they/them) is a world-leading expert on dismantling anti-fat bias and diet-culture, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author. They went from being homeless and abused with self-esteem that was achingly low into the courageous fat activist and change maker they are today. Vinny helps people fall in love with their bodies and is dedicated to shifting the way society views fat bodies. Follow and connect with Vinny through any of the following: Website: https://fiercefatty.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierce.fatty/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiercefatty LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/vinnywelsby Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fierce-fatty-podcast/id1481565570 What is Vinny watching and reading right now? F.D Signifier: https://www.youtube.com/@FDSignifireTradwives and the White Supremacists Who Love Them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQeoMEj0NYDr. Pimple Popper: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrsF4TYwmrV0QsXb8AoeHQ90 Day Fiance: https://www.discoveryplus.com/ Licensed intro music from NoMo

    55 min

  4. 2023-12-27

    Progressive until Palestine - The silence of equity practitioners in an urgent time. A conversation with Chris Hooten, Speaker, Strategist, Writer and Educator

    I first came across Chris Hooten on LinkedIn about a month ago when I had so many thoughts swirling in my head around the silence of so many equity and inclusion professionals in my circles of influence with the ongoing genocide in Gaza. A deliberate choice to uphold a sense of comfort in a job that requires you to be truth tellers and deeply uncomfortable to uphold a sense of integrity. Chris’s perspective that they were openly and unapologetically sharing online felt like the truth that so desperately needed to be said, and so I invited them to join me in dialogue in exploring the dire need for integrity in the work of equity and inclusion, especially for white practitioners who hold a deep amount of privilege and access. Meet Chris: Chris Hooten (they/them) is a leading speaker, advisor, and advocate for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and BIPOC affirming cultures and with over ten years in leadership, advocacy, and professional development, Chris has worked alongside incredible organizations like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Levy Restaurants, POCIS Seattle, and Bastyr University to build equitable and and accessible organizations. They inspire clients to embrace intersectional neurodiversity to remove barriers and promote success for all. They offer a range of services, including workshops, professional development, speaking engagements, and coaching that solves equity challenges. To learn more about their impact, visit chrishootenconsulting.com. LinkedIn post from Chris that inspired this episode here. References from the episode: Norman Finkelstein - https://www.normanfinkelstein.com/ Maintenance Phase podcast: https://www.maintenancephase.com/ The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Mate: https://drgabormate.com/book/the-myth-of-normal/ Israeli government admits to sterilizing Ethiopian Jewish women: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-gave-birth-control-to-ethiopian-jews-without-their-consent-8468800.html Licensed intro music from NoMo

    1h 14m

  5. 2023-12-19

    How urgency culture harms us all with Lydia Phillip - Storyteller, Published Writer and Researcher

    Today you're in for a real treat, a conversation with someone who has a beautiful capacity to help us all rethink the way we work and the way we resign ourselves to urgency culture, to upholding the systems of white supremacy and capitalism - that keep us exhausted. I first came across the work of Lydia Philip (she/her) through a series of blog posts she authored for Evenings and Weekends Consulting on rest and urgency culture.  I really want to encourage you to take a few minutes to read those posts that are linked below before you jump into the dialogue today to provide a richness of context and insight that Lydia so thoughtfully captures through her words. She's incredibly generous with her approach to work, to liberation, to a world built on possibilities that are rooted in honouring our sense of collective humanity. Blog series on urgency culture: https://www.eveningsandweekendsconsulting.com/post/rest-is-a-social-currency-who-is-banking-it https://www.eveningsandweekendsconsulting.com/post/a-state-of-unrest-are-we-perpetuating-urgency-culture https://www.eveningsandweekendsconsulting.com/post/how-to-embed-rest-in-your-organization-s-policies-and-practices https://www.eveningsandweekendsconsulting.com/post/urgency-culture-how-did-we-get-here-and-where-are-we-going https://ions.ca/resisting-a-rest-how-urgency-culture-polices-our-work/ More about Lydia: Lydia is passionate about engaging in and contributing to work that is a catalyst for transformative change. She's a gifted storyteller and published writer and researcher, and she's intentional about using her voice to inspire new ways of being together to create thought provoking work and to help shape a more just equitable future. As the content strategist at Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia, Lydia is energized by her role in meaningful communication, advancing people centered practices, and sharing organizational learnings. Most recently, her writing on resisting urgency culture and prioritizing rest has sparked conversations throughout the country. She was featured in the Globe and Mail, All Nova Scotia, and she was one of five individuals in Canada selected for a writing fellowship on work and working with the Philanthropist Journal. At heart, Lydia is a creative and caring disruptor, an advocate for centering people in the work always, and a big believer in the power of re-imagining she has the privilege of living near the ocean and many lakes in Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia), the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaw People. Connect with Lydia through LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-phillip/ Licensed intro music from NoMo

    38 min

  6. 2023-12-14

    #FreePalestine

    I’ve been away from this platform for so long navigating through several big changes in life and on the brink of burnout but with everything going on in Gaza, I am so called to build on what I’ve already publicly said because without a shadow of a doubt, Gaza and Palestine have changed me to my core -  there is no going back to the ways things used to be and there is no option to stay silent. I also can’t stay quiet as there is an urgency within me to talk about what’s happening and add a perspective that is deeply personal to me as a Muslim woman, an equity practitioner who centers justice in her work, who seeks to always center the most marginalized and someone who is called to use my platforms to denounce systems of oppression. So, here is my impassioned, raw and personal call to ask you to come out of your apathy, your silence and to fight for a #FreePalestine. I'm including here some information that has helped me understand the depth of what is in front of us with the centering of primarily Palestinian voices and stories: Can Israelis and Palestinians See Eye to Eye? || Creators for Change | Middle Ground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jj8vne0ca0 What It’s Like to Grow Up in an Israeli Settlement | Op-Docs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eac1l1ozfLc Palestinians Film War in Gaza: ‘So They Know We Existed’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P_L_088Diw They Called Me a Lioness - A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom by Ahed Tamimi and Dena Takruri Marc Lamont Hill Speaks On Israel-Hamas War, International Law, History + More https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPRua0u7hYY People and references in the episode: Ahlam Yassin, American-Muslim educator Zohra M. Khorashi, American lawyer  Drawn2Intellect Zara Choudhary Ra'fat Al-Dajani Aparna Rae LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7140362168260046848/ United Nations Global Compact Network Canada toolkit on advancing advocacy and solidarity: https://unglobalcompact.ca/knowledge-hub/page.php?id=34 https://defenceforchildren.org/israels-detention-of-palestinian-children-is-an-outrage-to-humanity/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-cruel-system-of-domination-and-a-crime-against-humanity/ https://www.un.org/unispal/nakba75/ https://www.npr.org/2023/05/15/1176097958/un-nakba-day-explained-anniversary-palestine-israel Licensed intro music from NoMo

    1 hr

  7. 2023-08-08

    From saviorism to solidarity in the workplace - a conversation with Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi - Changemaker, Speaker, Author & Founder of Accelerate her Future

    Sit back with a notebook, pen and a cup of tea and listen to the thoughtprovoking, dynamic and awe-inspiring Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi (she/her) talk about workplace saviorism and how we can inspire a paradigm shift in traditional workplace cultures to move beyond trying to fix Black, Indigenous and racialized people to amplifying our talents and standing in solidarity with us. Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi is a changemaker, speaker and author. She is founder of Accelerate Her Future, a leading career accelerator in Canada providing tailored programs by and for Indigenous, Black and racialized women pursuing careers in business and tech while developing networks of solidarity and action. She is also the founder of Divity Group, a facilitation and learning design practice focused on equity and inclusion and leadership development. A TEDx and Walrus Talks speaker, Golnaz has been named as a top 50 Changemaker by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business and a New Entrepreneur to Watch by Future of Good. Connect with Golnaz and her team at Accelerate her Future here:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggolnaraghi/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/accelerate-her-future https://www.instagram.com/accelerateherfuture/ What was mentioned in the episode: Sponsor Effect: Canada  - https://bhasinconsulting.com/private/61f85232b82fcThe Wake Up by Michelle MiJung Kim - https://www.michellemijungkim.com/wakeupBrown Table Talk podcast with Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick - https://www.browntabletalkpodcast.com/Secure the Seat podcast and writing retreat with Minda Harts - https://www.mindaharts.com/podcast + https://secure-the-seat-writers-retreat.teachable.com/p/secure-your-seatDon’t Just Mentor Women and People of Color. Sponsor Them by Rosalind Chow - https://hbr.org/2021/06/dont-just-mentor-women-and-people-of-color-sponsor-themThe Colour Gap podcast - Stop calling us resilient - a conversation on burnout, wellness and self-care with  Chivon John The Colour Gap podcast - Redefining success for women of colour with Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi, Founder Accelerate Her Future and Divity GroupIf you haven’t taken a moment, I would love for you to be a part of the conversation with me for the long term. Hit subscribe on your favourite podcast player and tune in every month for new episodes and conversations. If you’re so inclined, I would love for you to leave a review or for you to connect with me to tell me how I can be of further service to you - follow me on Instagram  Licensed intro music from NoMo

    50 min

  8. 2023-07-11

    The truth about working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Come on an honest exploration with me about the ugly and real truth about working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. A space often overrun by performative, comfort upholding initiatives, where real solutions based on equity are often overlooked in favour of risk aversion and maintaining the status quo. As with anything you can come to expect with the Equity Gap podcast, we go there and we talk the truth, because without it, we get nowhere. My intention with this episode is to balance out the realities, to help you take off any rose-coloured glasses and see the work for what it really is and then to find a way to stay the course should you decide to move ahead. I hope it makes you a bit uncomfortable, but ultimately helps you think about the good, bad, ugly and the possible. DEI practitioners who you should know and follow: Dr. Janice Gassam Asare - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicegassamphd/ Elizabeth Leiba - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethleiba/ Sharon Hurley Hall -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonhh/ Karlyn Percil-Mercieca - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlynpercil/ Jodi-Ann Burey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaburey/ Michelle MiJung Kim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjmichellekim/ Lily Zheng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilyzheng308/ Ruchika Tulshyan -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtulshyan/ Dr. Elisa Glick - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-glick433/ Trisha Hersey - https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/ Dr. Golnaz Golnaraghi -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggolnaraghi/   If you haven’t taken a moment, I would love for you to be a part of the conversation with me for the long term. Hit subscribe on your favourite podcast player and tune in every month for new episodes and conversations. If you’re so inclined, I would love for you to leave a review or for you to connect with me to tell me how I can be of further service to you (follow me on Instagram @theequitygap, e-mail at shahzianoorally@gmail.com or through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahzianoorally/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-equity-gap-podcast/). Licensed intro music from NoMo

    29 min
See All (59)

4.9
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Uncovering inequity. Empowering change. Hosted by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioner Shahzia Noorally, The Equity Gap is where straight talk conversations meet transformative action. Through candid interviews with leading experts and thought-provoking solo episodes, Shahzia explores the real-world impact of systemic inequity through centering the lived experiences of equity-deserving people and challenging power structures across workplaces and beyond. From race and gender to neurodiversity and anti-fat bias, each episode tackles hard truths and invites listeners to reimagine what equity really means - on personal, organizational, and societal levels. Whether you're a DEI professional, a leader ready to use your privilege for good, or someone seeking to deepen your social consciousness, The Equity Gap will educate, unsettle, and inspire. Join the conversation. Close the gap. Host note: In the spirit of not being a slave to productivity and capitalistic systems that push us to produce to the point of exhaustion, this podcast is not updated regularly but rather only when I'm inspired, rested and when I feel I have something meaningful to contribute. Enjoy! - Shahzia Noorally 

Information

  • Creator
    Shahzia Noorally
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Equity Gap
  • Show Website
    The Equity Gap