PRIME MEMBER EXCLUSIVE | 3 Months Free Trial

Auto-renews at INR 199/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends 15 July, 2026.
Thriving in Intersectionality cover art

Thriving in Intersectionality

Thriving in Intersectionality

Written by: Dr. Lola Adeyemo
Listen for free

Thriving in Intersectionality is a leadership podcast exploring how identity, lived experience, and culture shape the way we lead, work, and build impact. Hosted by Dr. Lola Adeyemo — leadership strategist, researcher, and founder of EQImindset and Immigrants in Corporate — the show features thoughtful conversations with executives, founders, scholars, and changemakers navigating leadership at the intersections of identity and influence. Through interviews and solo reflections, each episode examines how leaders make decisions, build belonging, navigate complexity, and grow their careers while shaping more human, inclusive workplaces. Listeners gain practical insight, real-world leadership stories, and research-informed perspectives on culture, power, and professional growth. If you care about leading with intention, building cultures where people thrive, and understanding how lived experience informs leadership — this podcast is for you.© 2026 Thriving in Intersectionality Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • EP 131: Capability Is Not Enough — Visibility, Identity & Opportunity with Vas Ramakrishnan

    EP 131: Capability Is Not Enough — Visibility, Identity & Opportunity with Vas Ramakrishnan
    Jun 20 2026
    In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with entrepreneur, immigration strategist, technologist, and human rights advocate Vas Ramakrishnan for a conversation about identity, visibility, opportunity, and navigating systems that were not always designed with everyone in mind.The conversation begins with an exploration of intersectionality through Vas's own lived experience. As an immigrant, entrepreneur, technologist, advocate, and neurodivergent professional, Vas shares how his layered identities have shaped the way he approaches leadership, innovation, and service.Born in Madurai, India, Vas reflects on his journey from engineering and technology to entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, and immigration advocacy. Along the way, he discusses the challenges of adapting to new environments, building credibility, and creating opportunities while navigating unfamiliar systems.One theme emerges throughout the conversation:Capability alone is not always enough.Many talented professionals believe hard work will naturally lead to recognition and opportunity. Yet success often requires understanding systems, building visibility, telling your story effectively, and learning how to position your contributions so they can be recognized.Together, Dr. Lola and Vas explore what it means to build a future across borders, navigate uncertainty, and create pathways for others to thrive.This conversation is not simply about immigration.It is about identity, belonging, visibility, and the human desire to contribute, grow, and be recognized for our potential.In This Episode, We Discuss:• How immigrant identity shapes leadership and perspective• Navigating multiple identities across cultures and professional environments• Neurodivergence, adaptability, and personal growth• Growing up in India and building a life and career in the United States• Entrepreneurship, innovation, and purpose-driven work• Why visibility matters alongside competence• The hidden challenges many immigrant professionals face• Understanding systems and creating opportunities within them• The connection between advocacy, technology, and human dignity• Practical advice for professionals navigating career growth and uncertaintyAbout the GuestVasanthan (Vas) Ramakrishnan is an entrepreneur, immigration consultant, technologist, and human rights advocate. He is the founder of Ascend HSI Advisory Partners, an immigration advisory firm focused on employment-based immigration pathways. He is also the founder of the Feminist Pen Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to advocacy, innovation, and social impact. His work spans technology, child safety, immigration strategy, and human rights initiatives across multiple countries.Reflection QuestionWhere in your life or career have you assumed that hard work alone would be enough—and what additional skills, relationships, or visibility ultimately helped create new opportunities?Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • EP 130: Beyond the Label — Dyslexia, Potential & Thriving Differently with Russell Van Brocklen

    EP 130: Beyond the Label — Dyslexia, Potential & Thriving Differently with Russell Van Brocklen
    Jun 13 2026

    In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, dyslexia educator, researcher, and advocate, for a conversation about learning differences, identity, confidence, and human potential.

    The conversation begins with a reminder that intersectionality extends beyond the identities we immediately see. Learning differences, educational experiences, and the systems that shape opportunity also influence how people move through the world, develop confidence, and see themselves.

    Russell shares his personal journey growing up with dyslexia, navigating educational systems that often underestimated his abilities, and facing years of frustration, labels, and barriers. Despite being told what he could not achieve, Russell went on to develop innovative approaches to supporting students with dyslexia and helping families access tools that build confidence and academic success.

    Together, Dr. Lola and Russell explore how learning differences impact identity, the importance of looking beyond traditional definitions of intelligence, and the role that schools, families, and communities play in helping people reach their full potential.

    This conversation is not just about dyslexia.

    It's about what happens when we focus on people's strengths instead of their struggles.

    In This Episode, We Discuss:

    • Understanding dyslexia beyond common misconceptions
    • How learning differences shape identity and confidence
    • Navigating educational systems that were not designed for every learner
    • The relationship between labels and human potential
    • Russell's personal journey from struggling student to dyslexia educator
    • Why intelligence and learning style are not the same thing
    • Supporting students through strengths-based approaches
    • The role of parents, educators, and communities in student success
    • Creating more accessible pathways to learning
    • Building confidence through accomplishment and belonging

    About the Guest

    Russell Van Brocklen is a dyslexia educator, researcher, and advocate who helps students and families overcome academic barriers through innovative learning approaches. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, he develops accessible strategies that help students with dyslexia strengthen reading, writing, and academic confidence while focusing on their strengths and long-term potential.

    Learn more about his work at Dyslexia Classes.

    Reflection Question

    What assumptions might we be making about someone's potential based solely on the way they learn, communicate, or process information?

    Send us Fan Mail

    Support the show

    Thank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.

    This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.

    💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.

    ❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.

    ⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.

    📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack

    🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:
    www.immigrantsincorporate.org

    Connect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.

    Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • EP 129: Building What's Next — Career Pivots, Leadership & Reinvention with Shannon Russell

    EP 129: Building What's Next — Career Pivots, Leadership & Reinvention with Shannon Russell
    Jun 6 2026
    What happens when the career you've always dreamed of no longer fits the life you're trying to build? In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Shannon Russell, Strategic Leadership and Team Facilitator, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and host of the Build Better Teams podcast. Shannon shares her journey from a 16-year career in television production to entrepreneurship, business ownership, team facilitation, and coaching women through career transitions. Together, they explore how our identities evolve through different seasons of life and how those changes often require us to rethink what success, leadership, and fulfillment look like. The conversation begins through the lens of intersectionality, examining how roles such as daughter, first-generation college graduate, television producer, entrepreneur, leader, and mother have shaped Shannon's career decisions and leadership approach. They also explore the importance of human connection in today's technology-driven workplace, why meaningful collaboration matters more than ever, and how creative approaches like LEGO® Serious Play help teams communicate, solve problems, and build stronger relationships. At its core, this episode is a reminder that careers do not have to follow a single path. Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities emerge when we allow ourselves to pivot. In This Episode, We Discuss: How identity and life transitions influence career decisionsMoving from television production to entrepreneurshipThe role of motherhood in redefining success and prioritiesWhy career paths are rarely linearLessons learned from building and selling a successful businessHuman connection in an increasingly digital workplaceThe power of creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learningBuilding stronger teams through communication and trustLEGO® Serious Play and its impact on leadership developmentAdvice for professionals considering a career transitionWhy there doesn't have to be only one path to success About the Guest Shannon Russell is a Strategic Leadership and Team Facilitator certified in LEGO® Serious Play methodology, founder of Build Better Teams Consulting, and host of the Build Better Teams podcast. She works with organizations to strengthen communication, improve collaboration, and facilitate strategic planning through hands-on, human-centered experiences. Shannon is also the founder of Second Act Success®, where she coaches women navigating career transitions and entrepreneurship. Her background includes 16 years as a television producer in New York and Los Angeles, building and selling a successful franchise business, authoring Start Your Second Act, and helping leaders and teams move forward with clarity, creativity, and confidence. About the Podcast Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, and changemakers, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the stories, challenges, and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives. If This Episode Resonated • Share it with someone considering a career pivot or transition • Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast • Join the conversation through the Substack deep-dive reflection accompanying this episode Reflection Question What part of your story might be preparing you for a future opportunity you haven't considered yet? Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet