Reframing Activism: Living a Values-Based Life to Create Social Change

  Chris Haigh is the Founder and Lead Consultant of True Change Associates, where they partner with organizations to build more equitable, inclusive, and socially just workplaces. With more than two decades of experience across higher education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, Chris specializes in leadership development, organizational change, and team building. They have served in […]

AMPLIFY! Storytelling to Activate Social Change

In this episode of Culture Stew,  we bring you the remarkable Emmy Award-winning journalist and author, Dion Lim. Dion has been known for nearly two decades as a TV news anchor and reporter, most recently with ABC News in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Dion made history as the first Asian American woman to anchor weekday […]

Recentering and Empowering Diverse Voices in Publishing with Lilly Ghahremani

  Lilly Ghahremani is a recovering attorney who now “uses her powers for good!” as the co-founder and literary agent for adult and children’s books at Full Circle Literary. She represents a wide range of authors and illustrators, thinking strategically about building lasting careers that are both productive and satisfying in a rapidly-changing publishing landscape. […]

Recentering Courage and Care in Education: A Conversation Dr. Todd Beer and Devin Moran

  What is the role academics play in institutions, especially in the classroom, when it comes to supporting students’ critical thinking around social issues? As we struggle with questions around free speech and what can or cannot be taught on campuses, how do educators navigate these issues, not necessarily from an administrative perspective, but from […]

Karina Sanchez

Healing as Resistance: Food Justice as Activism

  How can the food we choose to eat, as well as the practices we use to source, prepare, and share our food, be a source of activism and liberation? Karina Sanchez (she/they) is a holistic health and wellness practitioner and food justice organizer. She co-leads Veggie Mijas Chicago, supporting plant-based education, mutual aid, and […]

Screaming for Liberation and Connection

In this episode, Maria sits down with Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, co-founders of Scream Club™,  to explore what it looks like to create spaces where people no longer have to hold it all in. Manny, a men’s coach and breathwork practitioner, and Elena, a personal brand expert and community leader for women entrepreneurs, are […]

Bringing Joy to Change: A Conversation with Judy Oyedele

In this episode of Culture Stew, host Maria Maroukian welcomes Judy Oyedele, founder and principal consultant of Joyedele Consulting. Judy is an organizational development practitioner and executive leadership coach with over a decade of experience helping leaders across sectors break out of the status quo and lead with clarity, ease, and strong boundaries. Judy shares […]

“Rewriting the Wellness Script: Melanie Smith’s Holistic Path to Healing”

In this live and in person episode of Culture Stew, Maria sits down with the dynamic Melanie Smith, founder of Moves with Melanie, a health and wellness company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. With a powerful blend of pharmacy expertise, fitness instruction, and integrative nutrition coaching, Melanie shares her personal and professional journey one that […]

Healing Racial Trauma and Reimagining Mental Health with Dr. Monnica Williams

This episode of Culture Stew dives deep into the intersection of race, mental health, and systemic change with special guest Dr. Monnica T. Williams, a renowned clinical psychologist, professor, and leading researcher in racial trauma and mental health disparities. Dr. Williams joins Maria to explore the profound impact of racial injustice on psychological well-being—and how […]

Knowledge is Power: Dismantling Bias with Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman

Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman returns to Culture Stew to dive even deeper into the emotional, cultural, and systemic layers of anti-racism, leadership, and psychological wellness. A renowned clinical and consulting psychologist, Dr. Abdulrehman shares insights from his groundbreaking tools like “Bias Outside the Box,” his ongoing research, and his work as founder of tesbias.com and livingwithracism.com. […]