In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Andre' Thomas and Todd Levinson - co-hosts of the Healing Race podcast. In this powerful episode, Andre' and Todd join me on a remarkable journey into the heart of racial dialogue. For the first 25 years of their friendship, they never broached the topic of race, but now, they've embarked on a mission to explore the complexities of race relations in the U.S. Their discussions are raw, unfiltered, and marked by radical openness, honesty, and empathy. In this episode, we dive into their personal experiences and motivations behind launching Healing Race, shedding light on the importance of engaging in candid conversations about race and just sharing our thoughts and questions around this topic. This conversation that doesn't shy away from difficult topics and strives for understanding, respect, and healing. About Andre': Andre' Thomas is a tech enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in operational process improvement, product development, and data analytics. His passion for collaboration, conversation, and racial diversity led him to start The Healing Race Show with Todd Levinson as a means of inspiring people to see beyond difference and come together to create a more connected world. About Todd: Todd Levinson is the co-host of Healing Race and co-founder of MATR, a new tech start-up looking to bring meaningful conversations to social media. Todd was previously the Director of Programs and Strategy at Civic Genius, where he designed community programs aimed at fostering a more solution-oriented, less partisan politics. He has also worked on workforce policy at the local, state and national levels, focusing on how to help Americans get jobs and gain the skills necessary to advance their careers. Previously, Todd was a consultant and professional speaker for over 9 years, leading personal and professional development seminars for audiences across North America. He has also worked with the United Nations, where he helped lead a conflict resolution effort that guided civil society and government leaders from conflict-affected islands in the Pacific to develop joint solutions to further peace and development in their islands. Recently, he studied and taught moral and political psychology at the University of California, San Diego. Watch Healing Race on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingrace3491 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-race/id1699319058 About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ele