73 episodes

Bridge to U focuses on diversity, inclusion and understanding for black cultures.
It is a place where Monique Russell hosts transformative discussions focused on enhancing communication skills, nurturing emotional intelligence, and navigating the intricate tapestry of intercultural dynamics and diversity within Black cultures. The vastness of the African diaspora requires us all to do our own D&I work. This work is necessary in order to build up unity through conversations and insights required for an awakened and aligned way of living as Black people.
Monique Russell serves as your guide through a world where communication is an art. Through insightful conversations and engaging storytelling, listeners explore the nuances of effective communication. From speech to body language, Monique equips her audience with tools to foster understanding and empathy.
At the heart of "Bridge to U" lies emotional intelligence – a vital skill in today's interconnected world. By interviewing thought leaders and individuals with compelling stories, Monique delves into the intricacies of emotional intelligence. Listeners uncover layers of self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal finesse, pivotal in forging authentic connections.
It doesn't stop there. She delves into the vibrant landscape of intercultural communication. Monique's podcast sheds light on diverse viewpoints and offers actionable insights to navigate communication barriers.
Diversity and inclusion take center stage as Monique Russell amplifies voices within Black cultures. The podcast becomes a safe haven for thought-provoking conversations about identity, representation, and the urgent need to highlight positive Black perspectives.
"Bridge to U" is a catalyst for personal transformation and societal change. Each episode is an opportunity to bridge gaps, forge connections, and cultivate appreciation for the fusion of communication skills, emotional intelligence, and intercultural dynamics within Black cultures.
Subscribe now to unlock insights that reshape your approach to communication, elevate emotional intelligence, and deepen understanding of the cultural mosaic around us.

Bridge To U‪:‬ Monique Russell

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 19 Ratings

Bridge to U focuses on diversity, inclusion and understanding for black cultures.
It is a place where Monique Russell hosts transformative discussions focused on enhancing communication skills, nurturing emotional intelligence, and navigating the intricate tapestry of intercultural dynamics and diversity within Black cultures. The vastness of the African diaspora requires us all to do our own D&I work. This work is necessary in order to build up unity through conversations and insights required for an awakened and aligned way of living as Black people.
Monique Russell serves as your guide through a world where communication is an art. Through insightful conversations and engaging storytelling, listeners explore the nuances of effective communication. From speech to body language, Monique equips her audience with tools to foster understanding and empathy.
At the heart of "Bridge to U" lies emotional intelligence – a vital skill in today's interconnected world. By interviewing thought leaders and individuals with compelling stories, Monique delves into the intricacies of emotional intelligence. Listeners uncover layers of self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal finesse, pivotal in forging authentic connections.
It doesn't stop there. She delves into the vibrant landscape of intercultural communication. Monique's podcast sheds light on diverse viewpoints and offers actionable insights to navigate communication barriers.
Diversity and inclusion take center stage as Monique Russell amplifies voices within Black cultures. The podcast becomes a safe haven for thought-provoking conversations about identity, representation, and the urgent need to highlight positive Black perspectives.
"Bridge to U" is a catalyst for personal transformation and societal change. Each episode is an opportunity to bridge gaps, forge connections, and cultivate appreciation for the fusion of communication skills, emotional intelligence, and intercultural dynamics within Black cultures.
Subscribe now to unlock insights that reshape your approach to communication, elevate emotional intelligence, and deepen understanding of the cultural mosaic around us.

    The Inclusive Supply Chain: Supplier Diversity, Technology and Relationship Management

    The Inclusive Supply Chain: Supplier Diversity, Technology and Relationship Management

    A global business professional and avid traveler, Dyci completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia and received her graduate degree from Kennesaw State University. As a fluent Spanish and Italian speaker, she leverages her liberal arts background, multilingual skills and technical education to lead project teams across geographical regions, drive user adoption of digital business tools, and uncover new ways of working to improve organizational productivity and efficiency. Her expertise lies in business process improvement as it relates to manufacturing and industrialized construction operations, sales and operations planning, change leadership and management, and cross-functional collaboration across the value chain. 
    As a digital operations consultant, Dyci uses her understanding of sales and marketing to guide executives and business owners through supply chain operations process improvement to ensure profitable and sustainable growth. She is committed to helping businesses improve their ways of working, productivity, quality and profit margins by adopting digital technologies – and upskilling and reskilling their workforce along the way, creating fulfilling career paths in the digital supply chain and advanced manufacturing for underrepresented employee groups.
    As a construction consultant and advisor, Dyci uses her understanding of sales and marketing, supply chain and manufacturing operations, and software technology to guide real estate investors and developers on execution of construction projects leveraging digital tools, off-site building systems, and AI. She is committed to connecting innovative developers and investors with the economic development teams, industrialized construction partners, technology vendors and the supply chain and logistics providers required to build faster, more sustainably, and with better quality.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    How Dyci Sfregola's background in public policy and public affairs influences her role in supply chain, the importance of people skills and relationship-building

    How technology plays a role in increasing diversity in a company's supplier base

    Ways AI can be utilized to reduce bias in the procurement process and promote supplier diversity

    Strategies to empower employees to take ownership of digital initiatives and build a digital acceptance culture 


    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.
    Connect with Dyci Sfregolal: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Social Influence: Why Vocal Ability and Vocal Flexibility Matters

    Social Influence: Why Vocal Ability and Vocal Flexibility Matters

    Have you ever given much thought to your vocal identity? The way you feel you sound, or the way you think you sound to others influences the level of confidence you show when you communicate. It all starts with your inner ear. In this episode, my guest dives deep into vocal health, why we should not use accent reduction but instead accent related communication, and why verbal agility is a tool for communication success.
    Shulunda Gibson, MA, CCC-SLP is the Founder and Chief Voice Whisperer of  The Speech & Voice Care Center, a private voice therapy and speaking voice coaching practice for professional voice users based in Houston. In her career spanning two decades, Gibson has successfully helped thousands of communicators globally to heal, love, and unleash their voices and share their messages with confidence to those who need it most. 
    Through her Voice Print methodology, Shulunda equips and empowers world-class speakers and leaders to elevate their authentic voices, safeguard their vocal health, find harmony, and get grounded as they increase their income and impact. She is expanding her footprint as a newbie in the tech space, as the developer of an up and coming vocal health and voice coaching  app for professional speakers. 
    With a culturally responsive approach to service delivery, Gibson fosters confidence, collaboration, connection, and authentic communication

    In this episode we discuss:


    Accent Related Communication and Communication Styles: Respect diverse communication styles and accents.


    Vocal Coaching and its Career Impact: Vocal coaching enhances career leadership potential.


    Comprehensive Vocal Health: Hydration, stress management, and vocal technique.


    Vocal Identity and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding communication from an emotional intelligence perspective.


    Voice as Currency: Viewing the voice as energy for effective communication.


    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.

    Connect with Shulunda Gibson: LinkedIn | Instagram
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Fatigue and Communication: Your Biggest Threat to Communication Effectiveness

    Fatigue and Communication: Your Biggest Threat to Communication Effectiveness

    In this episode, I discuss the importance of Cultural Agility, why we need to focus on it, and why fatigue is the biggest threat to your effective communication success.

    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 15 min
    Managing a Virtual and Distributed Workforce

    Managing a Virtual and Distributed Workforce

    Marcus Haynes is an entrepreneur based in Brooklyn. He is the President and Founder of RH1 Consulting, LLC a Human Resources consulting firm. RH1 helps companies improve their people strategies and processes so that they can scale more effectively.
    He was raised by West Indian parents in several African countries, including Zambia, Kenya and South Africa where he graduated from high school. He then returned to the US to attend college.
    Marcus is a former professional Volleyball player who is still very much into fitness and sports. He loves to travel especially to Europe and the Caribbean and does so as often as possible. He plans to return to Africa soon to allow his family to experience his very special upbringing. 

    We talk about how:

    Diversity goes beyond the surface. It requires us to be truly open to learning about each other and genuine.

    Managers who struggle to lead diverse teams may not be ready, and are often promoted too fast. It is a slow process to develop and prepare someone to lead people. 

    Our childhood experiences influence our professional development perspectives, and outlook. 

    Nurturing family traditions such as fishing trips create lasting memories while appreciating the beauty found in nature.


    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.
    Connect with Marcus Haynes: LinkedIn
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 30 min
    Powering Progress: Leapfrogging Technology in Healthcare for Developing Nations and Africa

    Powering Progress: Leapfrogging Technology in Healthcare for Developing Nations and Africa

    Peta-Gaye Philpot is a seasoned healthcare leader with a proven track record in driving digital transformation and optimizing health systems. Recognized for strategic thinking, exceptional program management, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams. Committed to revolutionizing healthcare by leveraging technology and operational expertise. 
    For more than 15 years, Peta-Gaye has provided sound guidance to such renowned health organizations such as the CDC, Mount Sinai, Kaiser Permanente and many others. Peta-Gaye is currently the principal of Transformational IQ Partners specializing in transformation and program management. Hailing originally from Jamaica, Peta-Gaye has long been committed to helping marginalized communities’ champion modern technology to revolutionize medical care and create healthier, happier populations. Peta-Gaye approaches each transformation initiative like a puzzle—applying Lean, Agile and Waterfall methodologies to form faster, stronger, life-saving operations powered by confident, skilled workforces.
    In this episode, we discuss how digital and cultural transformation start at the foundational level of change. Before you can begin to implement new technologies, systems or processes, you must start with a deeper dive into culture. Ask questions that allow you to extract more data so you can create a truly sustainable impact. While some developing countries may be behind in technologies, the opportunity exists to leapfrog. Leapfrogging is the notion that nations can bypass traditional stages of development to jump directly to the latest technology. For this to be possible, educating policy-makers on the opportunities is a must.

    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.
    Connect with Peta-Gaye Philpot: LinkedIn
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 40 min
    The Right Way to Leverage Employee Resource Groups/ Engage Corporate and Community Partnerships with Employee Resource Groups

    The Right Way to Leverage Employee Resource Groups/ Engage Corporate and Community Partnerships with Employee Resource Groups

    This episode's guest is Tennille Cooley. She is the founder of The C.L. Collective is a leading project management and program management consulting firm, dedicated to guiding organizations towards unparalleled success. Tennille is also a proud board member of the Black Employee Network, one of Coca-Cola's Inclusion networks, where she serves as the Ambassador and Community Liaison.
    Sorority groups on college campuses can provide a foundation for belonging and community partnerships. It’s where Tennille Cooley’s love for corporate/ community partnerships began. From raising funds for community causes, hosting food drives and walks to leading and advising the Black Employee Network Employee Resource Group at Coca-Cola, breaking down internal silos, and hosting local business owners at the company headquarters, she does it all. Tennille’s prowess is a blueprint on how ERGs fill multiple needs of belonging, creativity and innovation and collaboration. She says the skills she leverages to manage and lead high complexity projects like these are:

    Passion and Perseverance

    Sales to be able to sell the vision

    Project Management and Organization

    Problem-Solving and 

    Collaboration


    Listen to the episode and share your biggest insight or learning moment.

    Connect with Tennille Cooley: LinkedIn
    Connect with Monique Russell: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
    Email feedback or questions: leadership@clearcommunicationsolutions.com
    Produced by Breadfruit Media
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

Sedruola ,

Wonderful host!

Monique is such an open host that it's easy to share deeply on her show. You can tell by the many conversations that touch on strong and sensitive subjects. Thank you for the space.

William A. Adams ,

William A. Adams

Thank you so much for having me on your show! I enjoyed discussing finding your own vision and building your own beliefs and you own discovery.

Miracles20 ,

Excellent Interviewer

I have listened to many of your shows and can’t help but notice how well you ask your questions. You get the best out of all your guests which makes for an excellent listen

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