Nothing Without Us - podcast cover

Nothing Without Us

Angela Brownewww.angelabrowne.co.uk
No one who holds a minoritized identity wants people who don't who hold those identities to be the ones solely making decisions about how organisations and how society changes, how it's run and organised. In this show, I'll be having conversations with people who hold experiences of being minoritized. We'll be looking at stories about marginalisation, we're looking at issues about equity in the news, and exploring how your institution can and should respond.
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Episodes

Reenchanting the Summer Break

In this last episode before the summer break, Angie shares a short extract from her forthcoming book. Look out for more episodes of the podcast in our new series from September onwards.

Jul 09, 202514 minSeason 5Ep. 27

Managing staff conduct issues in polarising times

In this week's episode, we join Angie on a recent webinar exploring a framework for managing staff conduct issues in polarising times. Angie explores various issues such as the influence of Andrew Tate, UK race riots, Trump's re-election, the Israel-Gaza conflict, and gender definitions. She breaks down a framework of narrative intelligence, emotional intelligence, liberatory intelligence, and spiritual intelligence to help you navigate these issues in school. By listening, you will gain practic...

Jul 02, 202557 minSeason 5Ep. 26

Narrative, Power, and the Pub: A Leadership Case Study

This week, Angie reads her open letter addressed to the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT). The letter criticizes the design choice of placing a pub at the center of the 2025 Inspiring Leadership Conference, highlighting its exclusionary impact on various marginalized groups, including Muslim educators, people in recovery, disabled individuals, and more. Angie discusses the response she received and uses this scenario to explore broader themes around equity, inclusion, and ethical lead...

Jun 25, 202528 minSeason 5Ep. 25

In conversation with Dr Leslie Williams

I'm diving deep into individual experiences of working in the DEI space this month. This week, I'm talking to Dr Leslie Williams about her life and career, and how she is shaping an EDIB vision across the many schools in Nord Anglia's portfolio. Dr Leslie Williams is Nord Anglia’s Senior Programme Lead for Social Impact and Giving, and Chairperson for the Global Equalities Programme. She began her career in education in 2002 as an English teacher in both public and private schools before transit...

Jun 18, 202546 minSeason 5Ep. 24

In conversation with Charlotte McDowell

I'm diving deep into individual experiences of working in the DEI space this month. This week, I'm talking to Charlotte McDowell from the British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) in Abu Dhabi, about how her own experience has shaped her work and her leadership of BSAK's DEI efforts. Charlotte McDowell is a highly respected Assistant Head Teacher at the British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) in Abu Dhabi. With extensive experience in primary education across both the UK and UAE, she brings a wealth of peda...

Jun 11, 202549 minSeason 5Ep. 23

In conversation with Kamare El Khatib

I'm diving deep into individual experiences of working in the DEI space this month. We begin with a conversation with Kamare El Khatib about her self, her career and what has shaped her work so far, but also how she has experienced training as she leads her school's DEI work. Kamare El Khatib is an educator with 13 years of experience in teaching and leadership across Sciences and Languages. As the DEI and Interculturalism Leader at the British International School Group (BISR), she leads the DE...

Jun 04, 202553 minSeason 5Ep. 22

Microdosing enchantment: Community Practice as Equity Work Methodology

In this last episode of my short May series, Microdosing Enchantment, I'm looking at Community. We cannot do equality work in isolation. Working in community saves the individual from shouldering all the burden, but it also creates better work. And talking of community, next month, I'll be returning with more conversations with friends and colleagues on this DEI journey with me.

May 28, 202514 minSeason 5Ep. 21

Microdosing enchantment: The 8th Kilometer

You join me on a walk today, to discuss how connecting to nature and moving your body can not only benefit your mental and physical health, but also improved your leadership. This May, I'm offering a short series of five episodes about rest and connection. Each one will be a bit of a microdose of resistance, of re-enchantment.

May 14, 202522 minSeason 5Ep. 20

Microdosing enchantment: Journaling

This May, I'm offering a short series of five episodes. Each one will be a bit of a microdose of resistance, of re-enchantment. This week is all about journaling and features an extract from my book, Lighting the Way. You can buy Lighting the Way here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/lighting-the-way-9781472972460/ and download my course, Finding Peace, here https://beingluminary.thinkific.com/pages/resources...

May 08, 202514 minSeason 5Ep. 19

Microdosing enchantment: Wellness

This month, we'll be pressing pause on some of the topic based approaches that we've had on the podcast, because the work as it stands, DEI work, equity work, is designed almost perfectly to keep us spinning. I have this sense that news cycles are accelerating and there is a feeling about the urgency of our time, which feels like it is knocking and banging at the door and demanding that we do something about it. And maybe the way that we re-enchant equity work, is to resist the urgency. So I'm o...

Apr 30, 202513 minSeason 5Ep. 18

In conversation with Mandy Coalter about inclusive leadership and HR

This week, I'm talking to Mandy Coalter, author, coach, HR professional, about why she is passionate about training school leaders to create inclusive workplaces. Mandy is the Founder of ‘Talent Architects’ with a simple mission; helping schools become great places for pupils to learn by being great places for adults to work. Her book ‘Talent Architects; how to make your school a great place to work’ was published in 2018. Mandy has previously worked in the NHS, Local Government, the Charity sec...

Apr 23, 202547 minSeason 5Ep. 17

Inclusion and transgender folks: extracts from a conversation with Yee Won Chong

In light of the UK Supreme Court's ruling this week, re-defining what 'woman' means in UK law, this week, I'm re-issuing extracts from my conversation with Yee Won Chong. Yee Won is a strategist, trainer and speaker, and along with his partner, Brooks Nelson, created the film, Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer. We talk about the discussions the film has generated - about how we can make an effort to be more humane in the way that we intentionally create welcoming spaces for everyone, especially trans...

Apr 17, 202518 minSeason 5Ep. 16

Co-Creating a Culture of Belonging in Recruitment

Continuing our deep dive into recruitment and retention through the lens of DEI, this week we're looking at the CQ, the Cultural Quotient. Cultural quotient asks, what kind of culture are we inviting people into? What stories or rituals or values are we reproducing or are we disrupting through our recruitment? And are we bringing people in? Are we onboarding and inducting people nto a culture that welcomes them or are we bringing them on, onboarding them, inducting them into a culture that quiet...

Apr 09, 202525 minSeason 5Ep. 15

In conversation with Claire Banks, Deputy CEO of Olympus Academy Trust

This week, I'm talking to my good friend and colleague, Claire Banks, Deputy CEO of Olympus Academy Trust, about her career and work. Claire is Deputy CEO of Olympus Academy Trust. Before becoming Director of Education for The Olympus Academy Trust, a cross-phase multi-academy trust in north Bristol, Claire Banks was a head teacher for nine years in an inner-city primary school. Throughout her career she has been interested in social and emotional learning and school climate, which has led to he...

Apr 02, 202550 minSeason 5Ep. 14

The Deeper Why of Recruitment

Continuing our deep dive into recruitment and retention through the lens of DEI, this week we're looking at the SQ, the Spiritual Quotient. It might feel like there's a bit of a question mark over whether or how spirituality might have anything to do with job applications or interviews, but I would like you to bear with me because I think this is one of the most important of all of the episodes in this series, but also it's one of the most important dimensions of the framework. We'll soon be lau...

Mar 27, 202534 minSeason 5Ep. 13

Addressing the Islamophobia surrounding Sir Mufti Hamid Patel, with Sufian Sadiq

We interrupt our current series on recruitment and retention to address a shocking and saddening recent event in education - the rascist and islamophobic reaction to the appoint of Sir Mufti Hamid Patel to Interim Chair of OFSTED. I'm joined by my good friend, Sufian Sadiq, Director of Talent and Teaching School at Chiltern Learning Trust, to discuss the man himself, the reaction to his appointment, how it is felt by Muslims throughout education and what it says about the myth of meritocracy in ...

Mar 20, 202552 minSeason 5Ep. 12

The Emotional and Psychological Barriers to Equitable Recruitment

Continuing our deep dive into recruitment and retention through the lens of DEI, this week we're looking at the EQ, the Emotional Quotient. I'll be asking you to think about your emotional response to a passage during the second half of the episode, so make sure you have a pen and a piece of paper handy. We'll soon be launching a recruitment and retention framework, which is going to be part of our excellence in equity award. Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.be...

Mar 13, 202526 minSeason 5Ep. 11

The Illusion of Merit: Why ‘The Best Person for the Job’ Isn’t Always the Best

This episode kicks off a month-long deep dive into recruitment and retention through the lens of DEI. As always, we begin with the IQ, the intellectual quotient, looking at the legal framework, case-law and prevailing thinking about discrimination in recuitment, and how it pertains to us in schools. We'll soon be launching a recruitment and retention framework, which is going to be part of our excellence in equity award. Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.beinglu...

Mar 06, 202531 minSeason 5Ep. 10

Digital Environment in Action: A Practical Guide to Auditing and Improving Your School's Digital Spaces

Angie Browne gets practical, guiding you through the five stages of improving your online presence, and asking questions that you can use to inform your work going forward. Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.beingluminary.co.uk/excellence-in-equity-award Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Feb 27, 202522 minSeason 5Ep. 9

Digital Environment & Spiritual Intelligence: The Deeper Purpose of Our Digital Spaces

Angie Browne discusses the spritual side of digital space - aligning our online presence with our greater purpose. Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.beingluminary.co.uk/excellence-in-equity-award Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Feb 20, 202525 minSeason 5Ep. 8

Digital Environment & Representation: Who Gets Seen in Our School Spaces

Angie Browne explores the world of digital representation - who is seen and sees themselves in digital spaces and why? Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.beingluminary.co.uk/excellence-in-equity-award Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Feb 13, 202527 minSeason 5Ep. 7

Digital Environment & Accessibility - Breaking Down Barriers in School Spaces

Angie Browne begins this month's exploration of one of the pillars of school experience - digital environment - with a discussion of some of the history around digital accessibility. Find out more about our Excellence in Equity Award here https://www.beingluminary.co.uk/excellence-in-equity-award Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Feb 06, 202528 minSeason 5Ep. 6

The Sacred Practice of Equity Stewardship

Angie Browne posits that instead of thinking of our role as leading DEI in our institutions, we should instead imagine ourselves stewarding in the renewal of equilibrium, a return to equity for all. Angie mentions the following resources - How to Survive the End of the World - Adrienne Maree Brown https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-survive-the-end-of-the-world/id1309300649 Margaret Wheatley https://margaretwheatley.com/books/ Peter Block, Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self Interes...

Jan 30, 202525 minSeason 5Ep. 5

Positionality and Leadership

Angie explores the idea of positionality in leadership and school policies, with reference to the case of Ruby Williams. Ruby was repeatedly refused access to school because her Afro hair was considered 'unreasonable' by the school's uniform policy. Angie also poses five questions for you to reflect on your own positionality, and review one of your policies. Download your free positionality and impact pdf here Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation at beingluminary.co.uk/dei-evaluation ...

Jan 23, 202526 minSeason 5Ep. 4

Exploring DEI Maturity through the school experience

In this episode, Angie further explores Being Luminary's DEI Maturity Evaluation, by looking at the pillars of school experience that inform the evaluation process. Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation at beingluminary.co.uk/dei-evaluation Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Jan 16, 202523 minSeason 5Ep. 3

Introducing the DEI Maturity Evaluation

In this episode, Angie introduces and explains Being Luminary's DEI Maturity Evaluation - a comprehensive toolkit that equips schools with the necessary resources to assess, plan, implement, and enhance their DEI initiatives. Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation at beingluminary.co.uk/dei-evaluation Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily Crosby Media ....

Jan 09, 202527 minSeason 5Ep. 2

The Three Growth Edges Shaping Being Luminary in 2025

In this first episode of the new year and a new season, Angie explores three growth edges that Being Luminary is focussing on - adding a Spiritual Quotient to our work with institutions, leaning into redemption and renewal as a framework for how our business behaves, and focussing on influence over impact. Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation at beingluminary.co.uk/dei-evaluation Nothing Without Us is presented by Angie Browne from Being Luminary . It is edited and produced by Emily C...

Jan 02, 202537 minSeason 5Ep. 1

What happens when institutions dare to pause?

In this episode, I'm going to explore what happens when organizations like schools dare to pause and how that pause might be exactly what is needed for sustainable change, for lasting change. Over the course of the last episode and this one, I'm inviting you to grab your journal and to reflect alongside me as we explore some questions to wrap up the year that hopefully help us think about how we can change our organisations, ourselves and our work. Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation...

Dec 26, 202422 min

What happens when we are forced to stop?

In this episode, I am going to be sharing some of my personal story of the last year that really changed everything I thought I knew about accessibility, vulnerability, and what it really means to ask for help. Over the course of the next two episodes, I'm going to invite you to grab your journal. and reflect alongside me as we explore some questions that I hope might change how you think about yourself and your work. Find out more about our DEI Maturity Evaluation at beingluminary.co.uk/dei-eva...

Dec 19, 202415 min

In Conversation with Sajid Gulzar

In this episode, I’m speaking to Sajid Gulzar about growing up a first generation Muslim immigrant from Kashmir, in Birmingham UK. He talks about how his faith formed his identity as he grew up, what he does when protected characteristics seem to be at odds with one another, and how inspired he was by his father’s faith. Sajid Gulzar, OBE, is Principal of Kings’ School Al Barsha. He began his first headship in 2009 and was most recently the founding CEO of a multi-academy trust in the UK. He has...

Jun 20, 202450 minSeason 4Ep. 7
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