She+ Geeks Out Podcast

What happens when a movement built on innovation starts to eat itself? In this episode, were joined by Catherine BracyCEO of TechEquity Collaborative and author of World Eatersfor a bold, unflinching conversation on the state of tech, venture capital, AI, and what it really means to build an equitable future.

We get into:

• How blitzscaling became a blueprint for burnout
• Why disruption often means sidelining equity
• What it takes to re-center people in an industry built for profit

We also dig into the pressures of chasing VC money, the cost of techs villain era, and how automation is reshaping laboroften without worker protection in mind. Catherine brings the receipts and the vision. If you care about inclusion, the future of work, or just want a little more honesty in your tech podcasts, this ones for you.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Felicia and Rachel Intro
Workplace inclusion meets AI and ethics. Reflecting on 10 years of Inclusion Geeksand why this convo couldnt come at a better time.

12:25 Progress or Plateau? A Decade of Tech Equity
Catherine reflects on founding TechEquity Collaborative and whether the industrys progress has lived up to the promise.

18:38 Disruption: Buzzword or Barrier?
We question who really benefits from disruption and how venture-backed growth often sidelines human-centered practices.

29:52 VC or Bust? Rethinking Startup Success
Why the pressure to raise VC has become toxicand what alternative paths to success can look like.

36:18 Blitzscaling and the Cost of Speed
The culture of growth-at-all-costs, the real meaning behind blitzscaling, and how it erodes sustainability and dignity.

41:14 Silicon Valleys Villain Era
We unpack techs political shift, culture wars, and the industrys growing identity crisis.

50:28 Automation and the New Labor Divide
How AI is reshaping the workforceand what it means for those with (and without) agency over technology.

58:33 What We Build Next
Imagining a tech future grounded in equity, creativity, and human dignity. Catherine shares what gives her hope.

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

Amber Cabral, a celebrated leadership strategist and author, joins us to share her insights on the art of "humaning well" in both the workplace and in life. Amber guides us on how to maintain the delicate balance between supporting others and ensuring our own well-being. She challenges the traditional nine-to-five grind, advocating for alternative ways of working that align better with personal productivity and mental health. Her personal journey through grief after the loss of her father provides profound lessons on self-care and living authentically, encouraging us to embrace our emotions and grow in the areas where we feel most vulnerable.

Our exploration with Amber extends into the intricate world of equity work, highlighting the emotional labor it demands and the pitfalls of guilt and performative allyship. By introducing the concept of "humaning," Amber emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our own needs and relationships before extending support to others. Put your oxygen mask on first! We critically examine performative actions and the necessity for genuine engagement, advocating for authenticity and self-care in sustaining meaningful equity work. Amber's perspective urges us to redefine health, wealth, relationships, and growth as the core pillars of resilience and authentic living.

Our discussion also navigates the complex interplay of privilege, responsibility, and emotional processing. From personal anecdotes about navigating privilege during a crisis to understanding diverse emotional responses in grief, we dive into the challenges of maintaining a full "cup" to effectively handle life's unexpected turns. We stress the importance of setting boundaries amidst the pressures of modern life, particularly in the digital age where constant information can be overwhelming. Join us for this enriching conversation filled with warmth, wisdom, and practical strategies for living and working with authenticity and resilience.

LINKS

• Amber Cabral's website
• Humaning Well
• Rest Revolution Book

EPISODE CHAPTERS

(0:00:07) - Felicia and Rachel Chat

(0:13:34) - Welcome, Amber!

(0:24:08) - Embracing Humaning for Equity

(0:31:56) - The Labor of Equity Work

(0:37:17) - Navigating Privilege and Responsibility

(0:41:25) - The Four Pillars of Humaning

(0:47:28) - Exploring Emotional Processing and Grief

(1:00:28) - Navigating Boundaries and Self-Care

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.

And we’re back! In our first episode of 2025, we dig into the state of DEI—what’s shifting, what’s under attack, and how some companies, like Costco and McKinsey, are staying the course while others retreat. We’ll break down the misconceptions fueling resistance and share ways to keep inclusion at the core of workplace culture, even when legal and political pressures make it challenging.

We’re also talking about how to stay informed without getting overwhelmed. In a time when news cycles feel nonstop, we’ll share strategies for curating reliable sources, consuming information mindfully, and staying engaged without burnout. Because clarity and community are more powerful than fear and division.

Join us at Inclusion Geeks as we keep pushing the conversation forward. Subscribe to our newsletter and podcast, check out our past episodes, and connect with us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Blue Sky, and Threads. Your voice matters—let’s build a more inclusive future, one real conversation at a time!

Chapters:

(0:00:07) - Intro to Navigating DEI Challenges in 2025

(0:12:26) - Managing News Overload and Community Building

(0:23:41) - Strategies for Ongoing Inclusion at Work

(0:34:34) - Understanding Othering and Class

(0:41:21) - Stay Connected With Inclusion Geeks

Links:

Art

• Ursula K. Le Guin- The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas (short story)
• Valerie Kaur: Watch Night Speech: Breathe and Push

Newsletters

• Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American
• Caroline Criado Perez, Invisible Women
• Katelyn Jetelina, Your Local Epidemiologist
• Dr. Jen Gunter, The Vajenda
• Dr. Zachary Rubin, FDA Recall Roundup
• LIL Science

News sources

• Teen Vogue
• WIRED
• Rolling Stone
• Jezebel
• The Guardian
• The 19th
• Ground.News

Visit us at InclusionGeeks.com to stay up to date on all the ways you can make the workplace work for everyone! Check out Inclusion Geeks Academy and InclusionGeeks.com/podcast for the code to get a free mini course.