Annemarie Shrouder shares her personal journey with identity and discusses her work building inclusive cultures and communities. She and Melissa explore the difference between learning and BEING something (embodying change), the challenges of mixed race identity, creating safe and/or brave spaces, and the importance of representation, belonging and community support. Topics Discussed:   Identity and embodying change Inclusion and belonging in organizations Leadership, empathy and...

In this episode, Melissa Pitotti and Nasra Ismail have a candid conversation about navigating transitions, power dynamics, and the principles of localization in the humanitarian sector. They share personal anecdotes and insights into their professional journeys, discussing the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. From experiencing shifts in power dynamics to embracing localization as a personal and professional practice, they delve into the complexities of working in...

In this episode Melissa speaks with Joy Kolin, Executive Director and Board President of Giving Joy.   Joy has 20-years of experience in the field of international development, a career that has taken her to over 60 countries. Throughout her travels, Joy found herself touched by a common trend - the immense ability of women to affect positive change if given the resources and opportunities to do so. In 2018 she established Giving Joy as a way to harness and grow the power and the influence of...

How can we better manage our workload, as per Commitment 8 of the Core Humanitarian Standard?*  In this episode Melissa speaks with Wouter Smeets, a design-thinker, about how to re-shape our work in a way that gives us energy, rather than drains it.  He gives us some good questions to ask ourselves, like: How do we design our morning routine? What makes a break a good break? What task can we do first that will put us on good footing for the rest of the day? What are some life-centric...

In this conversation, Melissa speaks with Sabrina Prioli, the author of a memoir called “Rise up, phoenix” and one of the victim/survivors of the 2016 Terrain Compound Attacks in Juba, South Sudan. Sabrina shares her insights into how to better support victim/survivors and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. She also explains the nuances of the words “victim” vs. “survivor” and how to cope when hearing about traumatic incidents like hers.    *Note: This conversation includes...

In this episode Melissa speaks with Dr. Aiysha Malik, a mental health specialist at the World Health Organization working for a world that supports, improves, and does not harm mental health. They discuss the WHO guidelines on mental health and work and accompanying WHO-ILO policy brief. What do the guidelines say and what can you do with them?   Check out the WHO guidelines on mental health at work here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240053052    And the WHO-ILO mental health...

In this episode we hear about the story behind the video, “When you picture Doctors without Borders, what do you see?”

In this episode Melissa speaks with Degan Ali, the Executive Director of Adeso, about the story behind the Pledge for Change 2030.

In this episode Melissa speaks with Faye Ekong of RavelWorks Africa about common challenges in aid organisations, particularly as they relate to decolonising aid in a “post” COVID world.

Melissa speaks with Oge Chukwudozie about the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub’s exciting pilot project accompanying 10 local Nigerian organisations as they work to change their organisational cultures. Oge emphasizes the value of cultivating a safe and supportive workplace culture and the importance of leadership “walking the talk.”

Melissa speaks with Dr. Gaya Gamhewage about her work in the World Health Organisation (WHO) to prevent and response to sexual misconduct.

Melissa speaks with Aseem Prakash and Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken about how governing boards of aid organisations can “govern well.” They discuss the power dynamics present in any group of humans, embracing difference and true diversity, prioritising lived experience, modelling behaviours, and asking smart questions.

In this conversation, Melissa asks Dr. Emilia Roig, the author of the book "Why We Matter," about how power shows up in our work, her concept of “radical solidarity” and self care.

Melissa talks about organisational culture with Umut Dilara Baycili, a child psychologist working for Mavi Kalem.

Melissa speaks with Dr. Liza Jachens, an occupational health psychologist, lecturer and research associate who has partnered with six major humanitarian organisations looking at their staff’s experience of work-related stress and its effects on their mental health.

Shawna, Kristen and Rufaro tell the story of Root. Rise. Pollinate! and share learning from their experiment to shift culture through connecting inner and outer transformation.

Melissa and Brian Stout of Building Belonging discuss how transformation happens – for individuals, groups, societies and the planet.

Melissa and Torrey Peace of Aid for Aid Workers Leadership Podcast do a podcast exchange about people-centred leadership. This episode is dedicated to humanitarians around the world on World Humanitarian Day.

Melissa talks with Paula Ramírez of Breathe International.

Melissa talks with Hope Chigudu, reflecting back on the 20-21 May 2021 Global Gathering entitled “Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid organisations” held by the CHS Alliance.

In this conversation Mary Ann Clements explains the background and the hopes for the 20-21 May 2021 CHS Alliance virtual Global Gathering on "Living our values: Care, culture and power in aid organisations."

At the end of January 2021 Naser Haghamed completed his 5-year stint as the CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide. Melissa reflects back with him about leadership, staff well-being and organisational culture for the ICVA-CHS Alliance “Leading Well” project.

Melissa talks with Julia Sánchez, Secretary General of ActionAid International. The conversation was part of an ICVA-CHS Alliance joint project engaging aid leaders on the issues of staff well-being and supportive organisational culture.

Melissa talks with Gozel Baltaeva and Adrien Muratet about Commitment Eight of the Core Humanitarian Standard. What are the data and the practitioners saying about people management in the humanitarian sector, especially during COVID?