Inclusive Excellence Podcast
Join Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel from the Department of Inclusion and Belonging for a monthly podcast series where they unpack various topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at work.
During each episode's interview, they provide a platform for campus colleagues in various roles to share their lived experiences, thoughts, and ideas around how we can create cultures of belonging, especially in our workplaces. You can listen to this podcast on your phone, at your desk, on your way to work, while you are taking a break, even while you get ready for bed! They also provide a great and free of charge professional development and DEI learning opportunity for people leaders and employees to engage with during team meetings and retreats!
See below for the latest season of episodes and search our Podcast Library on the left for past episodes by overall topic. Do you have a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast? Have someone we should highlight for their awesome work around campus? Feel free to send us an email at ie-academy@cornell.edu.
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Season 9
Episode 113: Leaning Into What's Next with Provost Kavita Bala
The future is unpredictable. So how do we prepare for it? In this Season 9 premiere, Cornell Provost Kavita Bala joins Erin and Toral to explore what it means to navigate a rapidly changing world while keeping people at the center. From AI and the future of work to public trust and the evolving role of staff, Bala shares her vision for a university that can adapt without losing sight of its core mission. Along the way, she explores when to “lean in” and when to “lean out” in complex conversations, and why the future of higher education gives her reason to be hopeful.
Episode 112: A Sneak Peek at Season 9
In this sneak preview, hosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel reflect on what’s been on their minds as they return for another season. They explore how allyship is changing, why stepping back doesn’t always mean stepping away, and what it means to remain curious and engaged when we encounter different perspectives. Their conversation sets the stage for Season 9, which will explore how we navigate an increasingly complicated world while continuing to show up for ourselves, one another, and our communities. The questions are changing and so is the conversation. Tune in for what’s next.
For episode descriptions, transcripts, and links for previous seasons, please visit the Episode Library page, or browse by topics.