Inclusion Bites Podcast

Joanne Lockwood
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Bite-sized conversations on inclusion, belonging and human connection, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, The Inclusive Culture Expert at SEE Change Happen. Every week Joanne sits down with a guest whose lived experience or professional practice changes how we think about work: inclusive leadership and culture change, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ and trans inclusion, disability, race and ethnicity, menopause, psychological safety and belonging. Real voices, candid stories, and practical shifts you can make on Monday morning. For HR and people leaders, DEI practitioners, and anyone building workplaces where people can be themselves. Listen at https://inclusionbites.co.uk/podcast/ — every episode has full show notes, chapters and a transcript. Be a guest: https://inclusionbites.co.uk/be-a-guest/ · Partnership and sponsorship enquiries: jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk

  1. 2 days ago

    Cut Through Communication

    In this energising episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood is joined by Dominic Colenso for a profound exploration into “Cut Through Communication.” Together, they unravel the subtleties of how to communicate with clarity, adapting to different styles and personalities, and ensuring every voice is heard. Joanne shares the value of strong storytelling and directness, while Dominic draws on his unique journey from professional actor to communication coach, demonstrating how presence and vulnerability are essential in carving out authentic, inclusive conversation spaces that inspire genuine engagement and change. Dominic began his career as a professional actor, famously landing the role of Virgil Tracy in the Hollywood remake of Thunderbirds, before moving into directing and later coaching. Having trained at a leading UK drama school alongside renowned performers, Dominic combines a fascination for storytelling with deep insight into human behaviour and group dynamics. Now a sought-after author, keynote presenter, and communication coach, he dedicates his expertise to helping leaders, teams, and organisations cultivate clear, impactful communication—grounded in empathy, adaptability, and a real understanding of audience needs. His practical wisdom bridges the world of creativity and corporate life, enabling others to find their authentic voice and build meaningful connections. Joanne and Dominic discuss the vital balance between simplicity, energy, and emotional resonance in communication, offering examples from boardrooms to YouTube, and highlighting the importance of knowing your audience—whether logical, heartfelt, or outcome-focused. They reflect on adapting styles in mixed groups, handling dissent, and the role of emotional intelligence behind effective dialogue. For Dominic, true communication is as much about listening and noticing as it is about speaking, and cutting through the noise to be consistently and courageously oneself.

    Cut Through Communication

  2. 6 Aug

    Leading With Cultural Intelligence

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood is joined by Lucy Butters to explore the nuanced art of leading with cultural intelligence. Together, they unpick how genuine inclusion requires far more than surface-level policies or token gestures. The dialogue underscores the importance of intentionality, self-awareness, and the motivation to bridge cultural differences. Joanne reflects on the lessons learnt from her own evolving understanding of inclusion, while Lucy articulates how cultural intelligence operates as an ongoing developmental tool, equipping individuals and organisations to navigate complexity, challenge assumptions, and foster authentic belonging. Lucy is the founder of Elembee Ltd, an author, and one of only ten Master Cultural Intelligence Facilitators worldwide. Her extensive career spans over a decade of supporting higher education, global business, and community-building, with a particular focus on inclusive leadership and strengthening intercultural competence. Lucy’s superpower lies in her ability to connect networks and nurture communities, always seeking to bring people together with clarity and empathy. Her book, Cultural Intelligence in Practice, is designed to inspire others to actively build their own capability, driving inclusive cultures and positive collaboration in a diverse world. Joanne and Lucy examine the four capabilities of cultural intelligence—drive, knowledge, strategy, and action—discussing how they must be consciously cultivated to avoid defaulting to comfortable biases. They challenge binary concepts of identity, delve into the complexity of micro-cultures, and argue that being inclusive is never a passive state but a continuous, intentional process. Through vivid anecdotes and practical reflections, they urge leaders to design systems for people, not just compliance, and highlight the value of holding space for multiple perspectives in difficult conversations.

    Leading With Cultural Intelligence

  3. 30 Jul

    Writing Belonging Into Being

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood is joined by Michelle Steiner to explore the realities and misconceptions surrounding learning disabilities, and the nuances of building belonging through self-expression. Michelle shares the impact of encountering limiting beliefs from an early age and how societal attitudes shaped her educational journey. The conversation delves into the lived experience of dyscalculia, visual perception issues, and dexterity differences, offering practical insights into the daily adjustments and technological aids that make both professional and personal life more accessible. Joanne and Michelle unpack how evolving attitudes towards neurodiversity, especially compared to thirty years ago, are gradually transforming environments for greater inclusion. Michelle is a writer, speaker, photographer, and paraeducator based in Pennsylvania. Drawing from her own experience with a learning disability, she advocates for people with and without disabilities alike, making her journey both relatable and inspiring. Her passions for writing and photography serve not only as outlets for personal empowerment but also as platforms for raising awareness. Michelle’s commitment extends to supporting students in finding their own voices and paths, while her blog and creative projects highlight often overlooked beauty and detail in the world. Her accessible approach and candid storytelling have resulted in published articles and a visible online presence where she continues to challenge stigma and foster a culture of belonging. Throughout the episode, Joanne and Michelle reflect on the value of transparency, patience, and self-advocacy, as well as the significance of kindness and being open to difference. Together, they consider how simple workplace adjustments and a trust in lived experience can nurture environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The conversation concludes with Michelle’s powerful reminder that success does not always come in the form we expect; sometimes it arrives as something even better. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, share their stories, and connect with the Inclusion Bites community as the journey toward genuine inclusion continues.

    Writing Belonging Into Being

  4. 23 Jul

    Resilience Without Shame

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood has a deeply candid conversation with guest Nancy Ferraro about the realities of resilience, trauma parenting, and overcoming shame. Nancy discusses her experience of adopting George, a child from Romania with severe special needs, revealing how expectations quickly collided with unforeseen challenges such as fetal alcohol syndrome, attachment disorder, and institutionally acquired autism. Joanne and Nancy explore the relentless pressures, the grief of unmet expectations, and the isolation parents can face—particularly when society is swift to judge and slow to offer support. This conversation highlights the unspoken burdens that come with raising children with complex needs and rallies listeners to champion open, honest conversations over stigmatisation and silence. Nancy is an attorney, author, and special needs parent who shares her lived experience with an unvarnished authenticity both through her book "When the Bough Breaks" and in her advocacy work. Her journey began when she adopted George at the age of four, naively expecting only mild challenges, but quickly found herself navigating the exhausting realities of survival, violence, and profound misunderstanding from both professionals and the community. Determined to shed light on this often-hidden experience, Nancy has become a prominent voice for traumatised parents, speaking at major conferences and supporting families through virtual platforms and support groups. Her honesty about her own struggles, including coping with trauma and seeking help, positions her as a compassionate connector for others experiencing similar journeys. Together, Joanne and Nancy reflect on the importance of redefining resilience as courage without shame, the need for honest communication, and the impact of building supportive networks. Their conversation dismantles the illusion of the ‘perfect’ family, instead offering hope, realism, and practical understanding for anyone affected by trauma parenting—be they birth parents, adoptive families, or wider support networks.

    Resilience Without Shame

  5. 16 Jul

    Resilience Beyond Barriers

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood explores the theme of resilience and identity with guest Misbah Gulzar. Against the backdrop of cultural expectations and the evolution of societal norms, Misbah shares her journey from a strict South Asian Muslim upbringing to forging her own path, both personally and professionally. Their conversation dives into the complex realities of arranged marriage, family expectations, and the arduous process of self-validation, with Joanne drawing parallels to her own experiences of seeking affirmation and acceptance. Together, they reflect on the transformation of tradition, the meaning of belonging, and the courage it takes to step beyond prescribed boundaries. Misbah is a resilience-driven inclusion advocate whose career spans nearly twenty years in the criminal justice system. Drawing deeply on her own lived experience, she has navigated significant personal and societal hurdles: leaving a traditional family environment, rejecting an arranged marriage, and building a new life as a single parent of five. Misbah is passionate about nurturing psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces, and brings a unique perspective as both a woman of faith and an ethnic minority in senior leadership. Her professional insights into rehabilitation and resettlement within prisons are underpinned by her belief in potential, empathy, and the importance of role models in systems often devoid of representation. Misbah’s advocacy is animated by her commitment to authenticity and her drive to ensure her children inherit the freedom she fought to secure. Throughout the episode, Joanne and Misbah examine the intersection of culture, gender, and societal systems—from the difficult decision to leave home and the weight of community judgement, to the challenges faced by those re-entering society after imprisonment. They highlight the power of self-determination, the need for honest reflection on cultural versus religious practices, and the critical role of resilience in the face of adversity, both at home and in the workplace.

    Resilience Beyond Barriers

  6. 9 Jul

    Cultural Agility in Action

    In this thought-provoking episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood welcomes Mary Lynn Parnell for an exploration into the real meaning and lived experience of cultural agility. The conversation weaves through Mary Lynn’s extraordinary multicultural upbringing—born in the US to Haitian parents, raised in Montreal, and now settled in Spain—unpacking how her identity has been shaped by embracing the nuance and depth of multiple cultures. Together, they examine the challenges and joys of forging a sense of belonging amidst constant change, grappling with everything from preconceived notions about American identity, to the realities of adapting to European perspectives on collectivity, race, and individuality. Mary Lynn brings an exceptional global perspective as a leadership development consultant, intercultural trainer, and relocation specialist. With roots in Haiti, formative years in Canada, and extensive experience navigating North America and Europe, she exemplifies what it means to bridge worlds through curiosity, empathy, and structure. Mary Lynn’s candid reflections reveal how moving between cultures has informed her adaptable approach to leadership and inclusivity. Her expertise lies in equipping leaders and organisations to build environments where difference is cherished, developing practical frameworks that foster trust and psychological safety in truly diverse teams. The discussion delves into the power of curiosity over defensiveness, the importance of holding space for conflicting emotions in national history, and the complexities of forming new cultural identities—especially for children growing up between worlds. Joanne and Mary Lynn dissect communication styles within multicultural teams, the pitfalls of overlooking cultural nuances during mergers and organisational change, and the importance of consciously cultivating environments where everyone has permission and confidence to contribute.

    Cultural Agility in Action

  7. 12 Jun

    Equity By Design

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood speaks with Celeste Warren about equity by design and what it takes to build truly inclusive workplaces. Celeste shares formative family stories, including her father’s experience as the first Black teacher and principal in his community, and uses those lessons to explain how trust, resilience, and persistence shape her approach to inclusion. The conversation explores the burden often placed on marginalised people to adapt in order to be accepted, and contrasts that with the responsibility organisations have to remove barriers and create fair access to opportunity. Joanne and Celeste discuss authenticity, dignity, affinity bias, and the common misconception that diversity and equity lower standards. They also examine why equity is not preferential treatment, but a practical way of meeting people where they are so they can thrive. A major thread throughout the episode is culture change: challenging ingrained habits, helping people understand the value of difference, and encouraging active allyship rather than passive awareness. Celeste uses accessible analogies to show how equity works in practice, why it matters for recruitment and progression, and how leaders can support both structural change and mindset shift. The episode closes with a clear message that equity benefits everyone when done well. Listeners are left with a call to action to question outdated assumptions, support inclusion in their own contexts, and help build workplaces where people are valued for who they are.

    Equity By Design

  8. 1 Jun

    Belonging As Infrastructure

    In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood speaks with Andrea D. Carter about belonging as infrastructure and why it must be treated as more than a feel-good concept. The conversation draws a clear distinction between DEI as an accountability framework and belonging as the lived experience that enables people to thrive at work. Andrea explains her five indicators of belonging: comfort, connection, contribution, psychological safety, and wellbeing. She explores how clarity, predictability, trust, acknowledgement, speaking up, and sustainable working conditions all shape whether people can do their best work. The discussion also challenges “fitting in” cultures, highlights the limitations of engagement surveys, and stresses the importance of looking beyond averages to understand who is being left out. The episode closes on the idea that belonging is measurable, actionable, and inseparable from organisational performance. Joanne and Andrea argue that leaders who want better retention, innovation, and trust need to build the conditions for belonging rather than rely on initiatives alone.

    Belonging As Infrastructure
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About

Bite-sized conversations on inclusion, belonging and human connection, hosted by Joanne Lockwood, The Inclusive Culture Expert at SEE Change Happen. Every week Joanne sits down with a guest whose lived experience or professional practice changes how we think about work: inclusive leadership and culture change, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ and trans inclusion, disability, race and ethnicity, menopause, psychological safety and belonging. Real voices, candid stories, and practical shifts you can make on Monday morning. For HR and people leaders, DEI practitioners, and anyone building workplaces where people can be themselves. Listen at https://inclusionbites.co.uk/podcast/ — every episode has full show notes, chapters and a transcript. Be a guest: https://inclusionbites.co.uk/be-a-guest/ · Partnership and sponsorship enquiries: jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Joanne Lockwood
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © SEE Change Happen Ltd
  • Show Website
    Inclusion Bites Podcast